This is regressive and infuriating. Scripture is filled with injunctions that we should seek balance and moderation in all things, and that particularly applies to the demanding job of mothering. Time away is a reasonable need, and if some pop psychologists have tarnished it with the name "me time," so what? Jesus took time away and we need it too. It is sexist to suggest that Mom should find her complete identity in mothering when Dad apparently works outside the home and has a life outside the home as well. Anyone with children knows that if mothering and keeping up with the housework - which does not automatically fall to the wife, here in the real world - are so difficult that there is grumbling and slinging of dishes, there are probably real life problems that need to be addressed. Throwing a guilt trip on top of those problems is probably not going to help.

this article really spoke to me,I feel like this is written about me. I always feel like I am juggling time as a mother and I get the short end of the stick. Not to say I never have time alone, but its never enough and yes I felt the same way after I had some me time and I had to return to the real world I felt resentful and often I feel irritation towards my children because they are taking up all my time. So I am constantly seeking"Me Time"because every parenting magazine has said everyone needs me time. Yes its nice and there is nothing inherently wrong with having some time alone to be refreshed but when you seek that over your children and it almost takes over your life that is wrong. I mean I have even been fighting over the idea of my children are down for their naps and I want to relax and its a perfect time to spend some time with God but that takes away from my "Me Time". This has really shined some light on the subject, thank you Amy Roberts for sharing!myoutlookischanged

I thought every day was supposed to be spent with God. Yes, the sabbath is definitely holy and special but when we walk in the Spirit, there should be no such thing as secular vs spiritual activities. How can I be a light in a dark world and be a witness to the unsaved if I only hang out with "nice" women who look like me, believe like me, and have the same lifestyle and only participate in christian activities? Going to a ladies Bible study builds me up and strengthens my walk with Christ and my relationshop with my family but likewise playing tennis with an unsaved neighbor during said "me time" allows me to BE Jesus to her and is exhilarating. So I think that the problem is not the me time but whether I am viewing every activity in light of eternity and taking advantage of opportunity. In this way "me" time activities can become spiritual opportunities.

I have read a great book "Mudhouse Sabbath". In it is a great chapter on sabbath. I wonder if our sabbath was spent with God if we would feel differently on Monday morning. May be instead of doing nothing for out "My time" we need to turn our eyes to the cross for family and God time.

I don't think secular activities are necessarily bad. I don't think I have to always go to church, read the Bible or attend a Bible study (although these things are essential to a healthy Christian walk)in order for downtime to legitimate. Although I work outside the home being a wife and mother is my most important job. However, that is not ONLY who I am, and even my husband encourages me to pursue the other gifts God has given me (within reason). I am also a violinist and one of my outlets is playing in a jazz orchestra. Plus, on some nights I work out at the gym. What is wrong with activities like these as long as you and your husband are in agreement? It causes me to feel refreshed and I appreciate my family more and have more of me to give them minus the resentment. One thing that helps is that my husband does help with the housework, cooking, and taking care of our son. I do work, but come on, even stay at home moms need a break, probably more so than working moms.

This article really hit home. The author could have been talking about me. Something I am ashamed to admit. I love that she was able to remind us where to seek our strength and refreshment. I may just share this devotional with some of my MOPS friends.

I don't entirely agree. Even small children need "down" time. I like to read, and paint and I think these things make me a more interesting individual and make me more fun for my husband to be around. If I never pursued artistic endeavors and only worked, did housework, and did church and Bible, I would be lacking as a person. I do not have children either, because I think it should be a choice and a calling, not a mandate. I think we will also become resentful if we never have so called "me" time. Not to be cliche, but its about balance. Everyone is selfish but women have more duties than men- we should feel that it is right to leave the dishes, have someone help us, and not feel so much guilt. My dishes are dirty right now but its not bothering me, if they pile up I will ask my husband for help, we should feel that it is right to do this. If not we will try to become "superwomen" and fall right on our faces

Another reason I think for the resentment is that we as women often fail to ask for help and think we have to do it all as good wives. There is nothing wrong with asking for help with the dishes (rather than passive aggressively slinging dishes)or involving the kids with cleanup. Delegate, delegate, delegate! Even Jesus had 12 disciples and did not do everything himself. Note to married ladies: Our husbands are not naturally gifted to read our minds so they often have to be asked. As my husband always says "Just tell me." Many would be glad to help while we are taking some downtime if we would just ask instead of expecting them to know what we want them to do. Mine just happens to be sensitive to this because we dealt with it in premarital counseling. As you can tell, I had some problems with the article but I am off my soapbox now.

My husband takes 1 Peter 3:7 seriously and insists that I take time for myself while he cares for the household and the child. No dirty dishes or hungry baby when I get back. I think the resentment comes not from the actual "me" time but because, her husband forgot that he is also a resident of the household and that those are also his kids. They need to help each other to find refreshing away from the daily duties of life (even Jesus took time away to be with his father). God ordained rest and refreshing with the institution of the sabbath rest. Sometimes that will be by oneself, sometimes as a couple without the kids, and sometimes together as a family. There is a time for everything like it says in Ecclesiastes 3. I do the same for my husband when he needs time for himself. Sometimes I take the baby out for a few hours so dad can watch a game or catch up on a hobby. Just because this God given principle has been abused and perverted does not make it bad.

This was right on! I have fallen victim in the same ways. Now my time is to sit and enjoy my children, the word, and my husband with no agenda, just tickles and hugs. My time means time with my eternal gifts; my family and others.