Deb’s Top Ten List of Sneaky Respite Ideas

10. Be moved by the Spirit. Sit through two church services while your kids are in the nursery.

9. Use your Gym Membership. Work out. Or, use the Hot Tub. Just make sure you use the maximum allotted child care time. (For Lifetime, that’s 2 hours. And, yes, they keep track.)

8. Is after school suspension REALLY that bad??

7. Drop them off at karate/dance/scouts/piano lessons. Sleep in car. Don’t forget to set your portable alarm clock.

6. Attend an ECFE class and let your child play. You may get a “talking to” later when they find you snoring in the play tent. It’s a risk worth taking.

5. Have an afternoon lunch at McDonald’s Playland. Eat slowly. Very slowly. Bring earplugs and a good book. Remember, refills are free.

4. Ask for a “Wimpy” Playdate. “I will gladly take your kids on Tuesday, if you take mine today.”

3. Give REALLY GOOD kid birthday presents, so that your kid gets invited to LOTS of parties. Slumber parties are a bonus.

2. When Gramma and Grampa visit, just step out for a “quick” errand. Wink, wink. Note: This only works once. Use wisely. This may be repeated on other, unsuspecting relatives.

1. Sign your kids up for Vacation Bible School. All of them. The Lutherans, the Methodists, the Presbyterians……