Parked the car, turned off the engine. Sat there for a few more minutes. Not listening to the radio. Not scrolling my phone. Just sitting.
Sometimes I need that gap. Between the person I have to be at work and the person I need to be at home. Between deadlines and dinner.
In the car, nobody needs anything from me. No notifications, no requests, no "Mom, look at this." Just me, the steering wheel, and the dashboard glow.
This is a common phenomenon among parents β the "parked car moment." A buffer zone between roles. It's not avoidance. It's a transition ritual.
Some people scroll social media. Some listen to one more song. Some just sit in silence. Sometimes two minutes. Sometimes ten.
When I finally walk inside, I'm ready. But those few minutes in the car? Those are mine.