Down Time for Mom
There's a saying - if Mom's not happy, no one's happy. We know this is true - if a mom is angry, upset, or tired, the whole house is in a frenzy. Moms are, for the most part, in charge of making the house run smoothly. They change diapers, cook meals, help with homework, or just spend "mommy and me" time with their children. They're so much about everyone else. They must make sure to be all about themselves for at least thirty minutes each day.
There are a few techniques that any frazzled mom can use to get herself back on track:
Go into a quiet room and read a book or a magazine. Don't forget a "do not disturb" sign. This can be hard to do, but if you have older children to help with the younger children, this can be achieved.
Take a late evening walk in your neighborhood to help clear your mind and relax or just sit out on your porch (if you have a porch swing, this is perfect) and collect your thoughts. If this doesn't help to clear your mind, try relaxing in your bathtub with bubble bath and votive candles. A jacuzzi tub is said to work much better for this sort of technique.
If you have a favorite hobby that you never seem to have time to get done, such as scrapbooking, schedule yourself time just for that activity! Call up a close friend and have a nice adult conversation without the kids interrupting. If the two of you haven't seen one another in a while, take the day and go shopping for yourselves!
Kids in bed? Watch a favorite sitcom or movie on television. Enjoy some of your favorite food, and don't make yourself feel guilty about calorie content or the fact that you're not sharing - this time is for you!
One of the best ways to clear your mind is to write in a journal and get the thoughts that are bothering you off of your mind.
Once you get started with some of these ideas, and take the time out every day just for yourself, you'll begin to realize just how less stressful each day is. You'll begin to come up with some of these ideas and more for yourself. Just because you're a mom now doesn't mean you don't need "me" time. You need more than anyone else!
Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered - http://AllThingsPondered.comThis article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_33184_40.html
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