If there’s one thing that universal among moms, it’s the lack of free time. Once you’re in charge of a little guy or girl, you seemingly spend every waking moment catering to his or her needs. Are they hungry? Did they poop? What’s the smell? Are they hot? Why are they sneezing? No, seriously – WHAT’S THAT SMELL?
So, because it’s what good mommies do, you put your kids first and make sure they are happy, healthy and safe. If you accomplish all three, pat yourself on the back, go to bed and wake up ready to do it all over again. FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
But what about you? How are you going to get the strength to raise these kids day in and day out if you never take time to do something for yourself?
I’ve found that I’m much less cranky these days because I have actually been carving out “me time” for myself every single day.
I know what you’re thinking – “Every single day? Get the helicopter out of here, YoungMommy!”
But I do. Every single day. I might not take a hot bubble bath or get a trip to a spa every day, but every single day I do something that is just for me. Like tonight, after I post this entry, I am going to do a hot-oil body rubdown with my Johnson’s lavender baby oil. If you only think of “me time” in terms of spending hours upon hours by yourself doing what you want to do, you will be frustrated because that doesn’t happen. What you can do is sneak in little treats to yourself every day (or every other day) so you continuously feel like you are someone worth taking care of too.
Flickr photo by Georgie Sharp
It took me so long to really learn to focus on finding time for me. But ultimately it makes you a better Mommy to be calm and complete within yourself- it’s also a great example for children to learn from as well.
be patient, my kids -2 boys- now are 17 and 11. now i have plenty of time for my self. be grateful to raise your kids by yourself, you won’t regret when they growing up.
best regards from indonesia.
salam
Great advice and that sounds like a fabulous treat. I steal Miss J’s lavender jj oil all the time, lol. Never thought about warming it and treating myself to some hard core pampering.
Here’s an idea that I think I saw on some makeover/super nanny/something else that I can’t think of show. Get yourself a jar and several strips of paper. Write something that you enjoy doing on each piece of paper along with a set amount of time. Then place them in the jar. Each day/every other day/weekly visit the jar and take out a strip and you have to do what is on that strip. That way you automatically have time for yourself doing something that you know will be enjoyable for you.