All day long, I am watching my own behavior to make sure it's in line with what I teach my kids is good. I have to discipline my kids when they hit or try to bite or wrestle too rough, all while reminding them that I love them and it's the behavior I don't like. If I want a little treat before dinner time, I have to discreetly sneak it into some closet or corner while the kids are distracted. (Although, they always seem to notice the moment I disappear and go running through the house yelling, "Mom!" and find me with my half eaten chocolate in my mouth and a lie on my lips: "I'm not doing anything.") I'm taking deep breaths and counting to 5 as I clean up another spilled drink or sweep up enough crumbs from under the table to feed a small army. I feel like a broken record when I have to remind my kids multiple times a day to clean up their toys, put on their shoes, get dressed, come to the table, please eat your food, stop touching your brother's foot...
Being a mom is super tiring. When my husband comes home from a long day at work, he is able to mentally shut down that part of his brain and focus on his role of father or husband. I, on the other hand, am still in mom-mode: working on dinner, straightening up the house, etc. Women have a lot harder time disconnecting from one role and shifting into another one. I honestly feel like I am going almost non-stop from the time I wake up in the morning until I go to bed at night. I do my best to get to bed early but that time when the kids are asleep is magical. Am I right, moms? It's a chance for me to try and regroup and regain some sense of self and think about what "I" want for a few minutes: "Chocolate ice cream or salted caramel?"
But let's be real here: moms need mental health days too. And the fact is, we rarely get them. Sure, we might catch snippets, or what I'm calling mental health moments, but the majority of our time and energy is devoted to our family. In order to be able to take care of our family, we also have to take care of ourselves. But how can we do that when it seems we have so little time to ourselves? Check out these suggestions and see if one might work for you:
- Get up a few minutes earlier in the morning and set the tone for your day by reading scriptures, writing in your journal, meditating or just taking a nice, hot shower without interruptions
- Listen to your favorite songs
- Run out and get yourself a drink or small treat after the kids go to bed
- Paint your nails
- Read a book
- Go on a walk or drive
- Forget the dishes and go to bed early
- Watch a re-run of your favorite show
- Do something creative
What do you do for your mental health moments?
Very important information.We all need to take care of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWe really do Colleen! I feel like it can be so hard to remember ourselves, especially when life gets busy and we have other people counting on us. But that is exactly why we need to take these moments for ourselves to recharge.
DeleteBoy do I identify, I have 4 children and s grandchild and cleaning and reminding to pick up behind themselves is unending lol. Thank you for these reminders to take a break.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're a busy lady! Sometimes I feel like if I stop that things will just fall apart but that is usually not the case, especially if I'm just stopping for 15 minutes to give myself a little boost.
DeletePainting my nails really always helps. I don't know why but it really does.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a simple thing but it always makes me feel better too!
DeleteSO true! I make sure to get up at least an hour earlier than my kiddos (normally) get up just to have some me time. It's mostly dedicated to blogging or reading or just sitting and drinking coffee while scrolling through Pinterest. Either way, I hate when I miss that morning alone time!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are awesome! I'm still trying to get to the point where I want to wake up in the morning instead of sleeping in. Sleep is just so nice. :) But when I get up and start the day on my own terms, I always feel so much more in control and less stressed.
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