I’m sure we’ve all had some crazy momma days where it seemed that the kids have all ganged up in attempts to see how far they can push you off the cliff. I know that when it gets to feeling as if every bone in my body needs rest and my mind is aching from all the household “peacekeeping”, its time for a break. So, in the manner of fun, I’ve concocted this lovely list below for my own entertainment and guidance for weary moms and dads. I have to say that most of them are pure speculation, but I can honestly say I’ve experienced at least 3 (or maybe a few more) of below listed signs. How about you?

10 signs you need to get a babysitter for the evening and go out…

1. You have the same crazy-eyed fake/maniacal smile as the lady in the cartoon above. My beloved 19 year old daughter informed me that I did indeed have the same “look” as Mrs. “Ready to Snap” in the picture. (give me a break….I was having a horrendous day)

2. You have called everyone of your children by the wrong name in the same day due to general scatterbrained exhaustion. The rest of the day, you just gave up getting names right and started calling everyone “nannerhead” instead.

3. You talked baby talk to your husband during a serious conversation and he actually responded better this time.

4. You looked for your sunglasses for 28 minutes and accused your child of stealing them whilst they were perched upon your head the whole time…oops – time to apologize.

5. You accidently spoon fed your 3 year old her oatmeal during breakfast…and she let you for half the bowl before you realized what you’d done.

6. Going to the bathroom isn’t for “nature calls” anymore, they are luxurious shameful escapes from reality — “now where’s that new magazine?”

7. You start to get suspicious when the house is too quiet during nap-time. Instead of resting or getting things done while they sleep, you begin stealthily sliding down the hallway in socked feet in attempts to expose someone sneaking around only to find sleeping children.

8. Instead of daydreaming about going to a beautiful tropical island, you fantasize about an uninterrupted 2 hour nap.

9. If you hear one more tattle, whine, scream, or complaint, you are certain that your brains are gonna boil and pour right out of your ears but then you get frustrated when you think of the mess it would make on the newly mopped floor.

10. You are so desperate for adult conversation that you have begun talking to yourself out-loud and your children are starting to look a little worried (or frightened).

So, as Scarlet O’Hara said…”after all, tomorrow is another day.” That’s what I always console myself with anyway. I’m a hopeful person and intend to stay that way. My mother warned me there’d be days like this and she was right unfortunately. Sometimes it really is a good thing to just get a babysitter, make a date with your spouse and get some good old fashioned down-time away from the kids. Besides, its true what they say: “if momma ain’t happy, no one’s happy“. A rested and relaxed mom is a more patient parent and a nicer lady to be around. Thankfully, tomorrow is usually always better in most cases and you know why? >>>>>>>>>>>>>Because God is always good.