as i mentioned in an earlier post about ‘normal’ weekends…three-day weekends are a double edge sword.  love them. hate them.

on one hand, it is great that you get an extra day off from ‘work’, but with most of us working for global corporations, do you really get ‘three days OFF from work’?  you may not have to drive in to the office, but chances are, you are still working.  …but this time, the kids are home – for all three days.  and most likely, there is some crucial 3-hour sporting event on at least one of those days that your husband/sig other will glue himself to the TV for and render himself completely useless to you and the kids during the entire time. even during commercials thanks to direct tv.  for those newlyweds reading this – this is called a ‘blackout’, as in ‘honey, the game is on – i can’t go to billy’s birthday party or put the dishes away, i’m on a blackout.” 

now, i have heard it is a lot different with a house full of boys vs. a house full of girls, and who knows if that is true – all i know is that come sunday night, my slogan is ‘TGIM’, because i can’t wait to get the kids back in daycare, the house back in order, and some or at least part of my sanity back into place.

so now here we are again, at that ever crucial paragraph and you are wondering – so what’s your point?! and my point is this:  the only way to make three-day weekends a win-win situation for everyone in your household, including you – is by using advanced planning and negotiation.  plan get-togethers with friends or family who have kids similar in age.  this way, your kids can blow off a lot of steam and have fun, while you can engage in some adult conversation and have fun yourself.  in addition, plan a family event that your kids WANT to do – and leave the blackberry at home for those 3-4 hours or so.  YOU’RE not that important, but your kids ARE  – so get over it.  finally, negotiate with your husband so each of you have a little alone time.  most likely, he won’t want to waste his 3-hour hall pass watching the game, and you can actually get some time to regroup and re-energize to get you through the long weekend.  now that’s a win-win situation for any modern mama!

ps. happy turkey day - let me know how your upcoming FOUR DAY weekend goes (thanksgiving + 3)!