The things moms have to do for time alone

After declaring 2012 as "the year of me," I promptly started training for another half marathon, scheduled a much needed hair appointment, and showered.

Four kids, people.

I would have gotten a New Year's wax but the joint is closed for renovations.

The nerve.

After checking off all the relatively fun stuff off my list (yes, the wax is so good I consider it fun), that left the not-so-fun stuff, like finding a therapist, which, by the way, is so much more awesome thanks to the Internet because hellloooo online appointment booking system so I can type my "reasons for seeking therapeutic intervention" into the small comment box in 200 characters or less and not talk to a human.

And tracking down a dentist.

I actually used to work for a dentist in high school and college, so I've never really had to find one, so when my tooth broke a couple of years ago, I made the mistake of asking Google instead of a neighbor and ended up with a huge bill for cavities I may or may not have had. 

The real victims of motherhood: Your teeth.

So I've put off going back since then, using the lack of recommendations for a new dentist as my excuse. Except I got a few from my kids' dentist and accidentally lost them.

Twice.

Now compared to the other doctor appointments women have to endure, the dentist is really quite a treat when you think about it. You don't have to weigh yourself (or pee in a cup), you get to keep your clothes on, and the metal objects being stuck in you actually belong there.

Also, drugs. Legal ones!

However, it's not the first thing that comes to mind when you've got a free afternoon. But damnit, it's the year of me, and suddenly last Friday before the long weekend my tooth started making me feel really guilty, so much so that I had to go to the dentist at that exact moment, which isn't the easiest task since I didn't have a dentist.

And for some reason, dentists in Atlanta don't work on Friday. Even the sucky, money grubbing ones.

So instead, I sent my kids to the dentist with my husband and called to get her recommendation yet again, who, by some miracle happened to have an opening for me that day.

I might have been the first person in that office's history who was screaming "thank you!" on the phone when they offered to fit me in.

It turns out that my teeth are fine, for the most part (yay obsessive flossing habit), save the grinding which made them extra sensitive. And I found an amazing dentist who I'll be seeing for a few more visits.

Four kids, people.

But you know what that also means, right? Scheduled time alone. In a comfy chair. Maybe even asleep. With no children anywhere.

It's practically a spa day.

Comments

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[Ron Receuver]

My dentist also put some sort of aroma therapy in her clinic. That kind of odor makes me relax and enjoy any kind of dental procedure.

[dc cosmetic dentist]

I always feel quite nervous when visiting my dentist. However, my mom consider her dentist appointments like luxuries, now I know why!

[Eddie Storms]

Hm, yeah. It's one of the challenges of pregnancy: the teeth are in a pretty fragile state. It's hard to keep them healthy when a child is growing inside you, so the health of your teeth may be compromised. Still, it's great that you put out the effort to find a dentist.

[stacy]

i felt precisely the same way at my mri visit a couple years ago. i think i might have even fallen asleep for a spell. 4 kids people. it was like a 4 star hotel with egyptian cotton sheets in that moaning tube.

[Pinay WAHM Blogger]

I can relate to that frustration very well. I remember having that totally excited feeling to have this opportunity to be alone only to have it cancelled. It's ideal to have a balanced schedule for work, family and fun but sometimes it's so hard to achieve it.

[Susan Hutchinson]

I have three kids and we homeschool so time to myself is PRECIOUS. And yes I too find dentist visits relaxing. And trips to the grocery store do count for time to myself! The only thing I might add is listening to an audio book or at least music that YOU enjoy while driving and running errands. Makes the time spent even more enjoyable. :)

[Liz]

I love the dentist! It's weird, but I have ever since I was a kid.

What I'm not loving? The root canal I have to get this weekend. Bring on the drugs!

[Mayberry]

My dentist has massage chairs! Jackpot!

[Sarah Terry]

I, too, am new to ATL and would love a good dentist recommendation. Pretty please!

[vicky]

So I am not the only one who had loads of cavities after kids? Eight. Unreal. Then I switched dentists and found out those were for nothing, my new dentist said, "No, unless you were a meth addict or crackhead you wouldn't have had that many." Nice. He's a keeper and loves my obsession with flossing which I find totally relaxing.

[Amanda]

I'm so happy to read that you're taking time and focusing on yourself. After graduating with my Masters in Dec (my kids are ages 5, 4, and 2)and spending the past 5 years pregnant, going to school, breastfeeding, and potty-training toddlers, this year I want to take care of me.

Get back into running, read for fun, go to my doctors appts. I got all my kids the flu shot in the fall, forgot to get my own, and ended up bedridden for 5 days last week sicker than I ever have before in my life. Lesson learned. Take care of me.

Good for you Kristen, keep it up.

[Jenn]

I love going to the dentist. I would go 3 or 4 times a year if insurance covered more than the 2. Especially after having children it has become a good excusable downtime moment.

[Carrie]

I'm here in Atlanta and am looking for a new dentist. Could you send me his name? Please? Pretty Please? With sugar on it?

[Karen]

My dentist has really cool music and ceiling puzzles (like movie trivia & "Find The Identical Penmen.") Love going to my dentist. I'm kinda sad it's only once every six months.

Of course, there are days when my 5 minute trip to the bathroom is my escape.

[Julie Marsh]

If you're grinding enough that your gums are receding, you may get to spend even more time in that chair, with really REALLY good drugs and ice cream for days afterward.

[Laura]

I was in the hospital last year for a couple of nights and I actually considered it a bit of a vacation.

[Wendy]

I actually enjoy getting my teeth cleaned for the peace and quiet as well. My hygienist has a client who refers to the dentist as the "tooth spa".

[Mary_Flashlight]

I have actually gone to sleep in the dentist's chair... I consider going to grocery shop by myself to be time off at this point!