Going Off Duty

After thinking about it for a second I wanted to comment on the concept of being off duty. I don't think I ever get the feeling that I'm off duty anymore. Today Lindsey was at the mall with a friend, Chelsey was at Busch Gardens with a friend and I was home trying to get the tree taken down (it was starting to dry out and smell a little off). I couldn't help but worry about the girls. Luckily Chelsey called a few times to let me know she was having a good time.

I've written about this before but it keeps coming back to me. Being responsible for my girls is an all consuming job. Somehow when Cindy was here there was always a sense that no matter what happened "we" could take care of the girls. There were times when I would freak out and Cindy was calm and took care of things and there were time when Cindy would freak out and I was somehow able to be calm and take care of things. Most times it was me freaking out though.

I think that some of that calmness is the mothers's instinct. I've learned a lot about being the sole person responsible but I haven't learned how to go off duty. As I sat down to check email I noticed the cell phone and turned it off for the day as both girls are here and I don't have to worry about them trying to call me. It's worse than and support desk responsibility I've ever had. If they called and I didn't have the beeper turned on they would try someone else, and worst case I might get fired. This job there isn't anyone else to call and you can't get fired.

My Czech friends asked me what my New Years resolution was and I just repeated the one from the Oxygen Network commercial "have more fun". I think that I would like to resolve to find a way to sometimes be able to go off duty.