I have a confession to make. Although the importance of taking time for yourself has been a Mighty Mom mantra from the beginning, I myself have a hard time walking the talk when it comes to carving out some time from the busy family schedule that is just for ME.
One of the things I love about the Stroller Strides program is I know that there will always be one great opportunity during the month to leave the kids at home and go have some fun with some fabulous women. It is some kind of wonderful to put on not-workout clothes, not-athletic shoes, jewelry and maybe (gasp) even a little bit of makeup. I love the chance to have conversation uninterrupted by anyone needing a snack or a diaper change or a lesson in how to share toys . Yes, we sometimes spend spend a good part of the evening talking about our kids, showing each other photos of the little ones or listening to recordings of awesome laugh-attacks. We don’t need time away from the kids because we don’t love them, we need it because we do.
I have been better lately about making sure to incorporate some time into the week when I can do something that matters for myself. For me, this is usually making sure I get enough time on the treadmill. For others, it may be taking 20 minutes to relax with a hot cup of tea and a magazine, or catching up on your favorite show. Once in a while though, it is equally important to leave the house without any kids, to meet friends or just spend a little bit of time being YOU instead of being your kiddo’s mom. No laundry piles calling out to you, no thoughts of what you *should* be doing instead.
Taking time for yourself does not mean you have to be alone. My husband and I recently enjoyed an entire overnight without our two kids, courtesy of some wonderful friends who stayed over the babysit. It was easily the biggest amount of time we had spent with each other, without kids, since our daughter was born 63 months ago. We had the startling revalation that it was the first time we have gone out to breakfast without our kids since we had become parents. Amazing.
Whatever form it takes, make the effort to do something for yourself this week! Call on your friends to help out with babysitting, you will be surprised how happy most of your fellow moms will be to arrange a trade. It takes a lot of effort sometimes to get away – and you are worth it!
One of the things I love about the Stroller Strides program is I know that there will always be one great opportunity during the month to leave the kids at home and go have some fun with some fabulous women. It is some kind of wonderful to put on not-workout clothes, not-athletic shoes, jewelry and maybe (gasp) even a little bit of makeup. I love the chance to have conversation uninterrupted by anyone needing a snack or a diaper change or a lesson in how to share toys . Yes, we sometimes spend spend a good part of the evening talking about our kids, showing each other photos of the little ones or listening to recordings of awesome laugh-attacks. We don’t need time away from the kids because we don’t love them, we need it because we do.
I have been better lately about making sure to incorporate some time into the week when I can do something that matters for myself. For me, this is usually making sure I get enough time on the treadmill. For others, it may be taking 20 minutes to relax with a hot cup of tea and a magazine, or catching up on your favorite show. Once in a while though, it is equally important to leave the house without any kids, to meet friends or just spend a little bit of time being YOU instead of being your kiddo’s mom. No laundry piles calling out to you, no thoughts of what you *should* be doing instead.
Taking time for yourself does not mean you have to be alone. My husband and I recently enjoyed an entire overnight without our two kids, courtesy of some wonderful friends who stayed over the babysit. It was easily the biggest amount of time we had spent with each other, without kids, since our daughter was born 63 months ago. We had the startling revalation that it was the first time we have gone out to breakfast without our kids since we had become parents. Amazing.
Whatever form it takes, make the effort to do something for yourself this week! Call on your friends to help out with babysitting, you will be surprised how happy most of your fellow moms will be to arrange a trade. It takes a lot of effort sometimes to get away – and you are worth it!
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