How a Netflix Binge Reminded Me to Put My F-ing Phone Down

my late-night wake-up call on parenting

People often ask what I do on the nights my son is at his overnight. Nine times out of ten, I’m either working or sleeping. But last week, when my boyfriend was out of town, I took the advice of a friend: I made myself a girl dinner and watched TV.

I know what you’re thinking—You need advice to watch TV? Well, yes. Yes, I do. I’ve always felt the need to be productive. That feeling quadrupled after becoming a mom, especially as a single mom juggling both stay-at-home and work-from-home life. When I’m not with my kiddo, I’m in full-on get-shit-done mode. Spoiler alert: it never fully gets done.

But I digress. Back to my Netflix lesson.

Last week after I got home, I walked the dogs, wrote an essay on my midlife crisis (which I immediately published before chickening out and not sending), fed the dogs, and then finally listened to my friend’s advice. I prepared my girl dinner ¹ and grabbed the remote.

I Think I’m Having a Midlife Crisis

My friend suggested I watch trashy TV, and I fully planned to dip into my pre-mom guilty pleasure, 90 Day Fiancé. But while scrolling, I stumbled upon Apple Cider Vinegar.

I wasn’t going to watch it after reading

Jordan Younger

’s take (she’s impersonated in a few episodes). Jordan has always been super sweet to me as an Instagram friend. But I don’t know her personally, and I love Kaitlyn Dever in Dopesick. So I figured I’d watch an episode or two, then go to bed early and catch up on sleep.

Six episodes later, meaning the entire series, it was 2:30 am. I’d had two girl dinners, there were dried tears on my face, and I missed my son more than ever.

Why would a show about wellness make me miss my son? Well, honestly, I didn’t learn much about wellness…