Mary Byers, in her Hearts at Home book, The Mother Load, asks the question, “If you’re taking care of your kids, who is taking care of you?”
It’s a great question that demands some practical answers. You and I have to recognize that taking care of ourselves IS taking care of our family.
Taking care of myself is a blend of alone time, hot baths, and reading for pleasure. When my kids were small, I’d have to leave the house to get a break. I no longer have to do that, but I do find myself intentionally going to bed earlier so I can read. And yes, sometimes that means that I leave dishes in the sink or chores undone just so I can intentionally refuel.
Funny…when I do that…the dishes don’t look nearly so overwhelming in the morning!
Find out how other moms make this happen by “hopping” around to some of the other posts on this topic in today’s blog hop. You’ll find the links to click on below!
So how do you do it? What practical tips for self-care can you share that have worked for you? If you’re reading this post in your email box, you can jump on the blog hop or share your tip here.
Definitely take time for yourself. I never did and I thought as soon as my kids get older I’ll have time for myself. My 4 kids in range in age from 17 to 24. I am tired, burned out and they still require most of my time. My son just got injured on the job and came home to be cared for. Guess what? All my weekend plans to spend sailing are shot. No one else will take care of you unless you take the time for yourself. Your kids will be fine but you won’t. Don’t let another day pass without taking time for yourself!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Karen. Hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it?
One thing my husband and I do to take care of ourselves is take a “night off” each week. His night is Monday, mine is Wednesday. On my night I go to my weight watchers meeting and then meet one or some of my girlfriends (usually to EAT!) ;-). My husband takes care of dinner and putting the kids to bed.
We also have started getting up at 5a.m. to work out together, which is making us healthier but which is also building the friendship between us as work out buddies. (Seems like I’ve been waiting for kids to sleep through the night and sleep in for 9 years, and now that they are we’re CHOOSING to get up even earlier than before…didn’t see that comin’!)
Good ideas, Nichole!
I SO appreciate this reply, Nichole! My hubby and I have been talking about getting up together. I adore the idea of a night off!!
Last night I took my book and went down to Starbucks and enjoy an hour and a half of just reading and latte by myself 🙂 happy mommy when I got home!!
Good for you!
My husband farms, so he works long hours seasonally and it’s tough those times of the year to get ANY sort of alone time! Recently, I have been setting my timer while the kids nap. Sometimes it’s 10 minutes to read, 20 minutes to check email/blog, or 15 minutes to watch something I have DVR’ed. That way even though I am trying to maintain a household and the kids, I still get a sliver of time to myself. When he isn’t working crazy hours? I will try to just grocery shop by myself and get a coffee when I am done, or go out for an afternoon with my mom and sister. It’s tough, but it’s important!
Julie, this is a very practical idea! Thank you for sharing!
Great topic for someone who is very unbalanced. I needed a good kick in the pants!
Mine is DVRing my shows and watching them on Thursday mornings before clinicals 1p-5p, My schedule is very hectic between school M,T,W,F from 10-1 and then working M, W and F 230p-11p! I also rotate Tu/Thr 6p-9p at work. So my family and I have a game night on my night off after dinner. Makes the week well worth the hecticness!