you don't even have to respond but ask yourself when (if at all)  the last time you....

• read a book and finished it
• went on a walk by yourself
• played a board game or other game with your spouse/other/friend?
• had a quickie, nooner, or other sneaky rendez-vous
• slept in (I mean really slept in...not ignoring screeches from the crib or half awake sleeping in)
• chatted on the phone with an old friend for an hour
• wrote a real letter, put a stamp on it & mailed it
• went to church or meaningful spiritual place
• read the giving tree by shel silverstein
• wrote in a journal...a paper journal without spellcheck or delete
• looked at old photos of you when you were a sweet baby
• looked at old photos of you when you were a ridiculous teenager
• received a look-over...the kind where you feel attractive and alive, not frumpy or thinking your fly is down or you have barf on the backside of your shoulder
• actually noticed an attractive person...one you would have flirted with - you know- the kind of person that was (or is) "your type"
• went to a concert...not elmo or dragon tales...a concert just for you
• looked at your kids and felt like you were doing everything right, on track and things were gonna be ok
• looked at your kids and thought you couldn't be a worse parent, your heart ached and you felt like everything you are doing isn't good enough
• wished you had more things and money and opportunity to make your life easier
• wished you could abandon everything and run away (with your family) with no material objects, responsibilities or clutter (just sunsets on a remote beach somewhere)
• wished to take that trip you never got to take before the kids
• wished you never had to leave the couch with your kids snuggled up next to you
• wrote a love note
• made a treat- coffee, cookies, crafts- for someone, anyone
• bought a piece of jewelry you really love
• bought something you totally don't need and will probably never wear
• looked up an old flame
• looked at your spouse and wondered how the hell you made it this far
• wanted a new life
• wanted your life to last forever
• envied a friend
• wished your kids would stay little forever
• couldn't wait for them to "grow out of this stage"
• wanted another baby
• wished to never ever get pregnant again
• cried because life is moving on
• smiled because life is moving on- to the next milestone, celebration, event
• wished you wrote stuff down that your kids say
• actually wrote something down that your kid said
• made a list and never finished it (or lost it in my case...)
• missed an appointment
• stopped and enjoyed the moment and realized how lucky you are.....

Being a parent is full of conflicting emotions and experiences.