It’s a LINK-UP DAY! You guys know I love me some link-up days. If you could see me at this moment, I’m probably sporting some JAZZ HANDS!
Shay and I are hosting HOW WE… Last month, we shared HOW WE…DO GOALS/RESOLUTIONS.
This month we’re talking HOW WE…TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.
You know that old saying, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy”?? Well, I’ve got a little secret. Unfortunately, it rings true in our house. If I get stressed out about anything, I start to get snappy with the kids, short-tempered with Tab, and trust me…no one in the Slaughter House is all smiles. {Well, except maybe Britt…ha!} I’ve learned a few things about myself over the years that have helped me get a handle on how I tackle the stress and maybe a few of these will help you too.
By the way, I think this topic could be taken a ton of different directions. {Health, fitness, skincare, etc.} I’m sharing more about how you keep your mama cup full. These will be fun to read. 🙂
You know that old saying, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy”?? Well, I’ve got a little secret. Unfortunately, it rings true in our house. If I get stressed out about anything, I start to get snappy with the kids, short-tempered with Tab, and trust me…no one in the Slaughter House is all smiles. {Well, except maybe Britt…ha!} I’ve learned a few things about myself over the years that have helped me get a handle on how I tackle the stress and maybe a few of these will help you too.
By the way, I think this topic could be taken a ton of different directions. {Health, fitness, skincare, etc.} I’m sharing more about how you keep your mama cup full. These will be fun to read. 🙂
One thing I’ve learned over the years is it’s okay to spend time, money, and effort on me. This used to be so difficult for me to do. A spa day? No way. A pedicure just because? Absolutely not. A quiet bath while the kids hang with dad in the other room? I’d feel guilty about missing out on family time. As a mom, all of our time, money, and effort can get caught up in our kiddos and family, but let me tell you…you need to invest in yourself as well.
When I’m taking care of me, everything else flows so much more smoothly.
These are some ways I take care of me…
*Get Up Early for My Quiet Time
My entire day runs better when I carve out a bit of my morning to spend time reading God’s word and in prayer. Some nights I don’t sleep good and push that alarm back. I skip the quiet time and my day is all off. I’m not even kidding. It messes up my entire day. By setting my alarm for an earlier time, I get some quiet minutes all to myself and time in prayer. It’s the best way to start my day.
*Do Something Just for Me
I got a massage just a couple weeks ago {Here’s a little secret…it wasn’t even my birthday or anniversary} and I didn’t feel guilty about it. Tab had been out of town a ton in January. I’d been solo parenting and the idea of a relaxing fifty minutes was just what I needed. It reset my mama button and helped our week just run a little smoother.
*Take a Bath with the Door Locked and a Good Book
Now this one doesn’t happen every night with sports and such, but when we’re at home in the evenings I love LOCKING the door {Tab can handle all the crazy} and reading a book while I take a bath. The best way to end a day! It doesn’t take too long…just fifteen or so minutes {Not gonna lie, I’ve been known to be in there for way longer and little hands start knocking on the door!} and I get out feeling so refreshed!
*Appointment Time Solo
With Britt not in preschool just yet, she’s with me pretty much 24/7. I realized back in the fall…sometimes I just need a few minutes to myself. I mentioned it to Marla and she offered to watch Britt so I could get my hair done solo, hit up other appointments, or just get some work done. Let me tell you mamas with littles, I’ve taken many kiddos and babies to appointments. —-MAJOR STORY ABOUT THAT—I remember having a tiny, baby, Nixon, in the midst of bottle feeding and major spitting up. He was probably three or four months old, which means I also had a fifteen or sixteen month old Ebby Lee. I decided I didn’t need to spend money on a sitter and took them both with me to a hair appointment. You guys! I took a pack-in-play to set up for baby Nixon and thought Ebby Lee would toddle around. I’m sure I showed up looking a MESS! I mean. Can you imagine? Another sweet lady who was waiting to get her hair done offered to hold Nixon for me. I remember being SO appreciative for this lady. {Sidenote, the next time you see a young mama with two tiny babes at the hair salon, offer to hold one. You will MAKE her day.} Did I mention baby Nixon was a spitter-upper? Because he was. And while sweet, nice lady was holding him, he lost it ALL OVER HER. It’s one thing to be wearing your own baby’s spit-up on your shirt, but it’s a completely different thing to be wearing a stranger baby’s spit-up on your shirt. Sigh. A hair appointment solo is just good for the soul once in a while, and clearly back in the day almost eight years ago I should have sprung for a sitter. 🙂
*Call it a Night
I think as women, moms, and wives we can tell when we need a night out. A night with a meal prepared for us, no baths to give on the agenda, and no dishes to clean up…when you need that either call up some girlfriends and plan a night or call a sitter and plan a date!
*Exercise
Taking a walk, heading to the gym, grabbing an at-home workout are all things that are good for my body {and I know it}. So carving some time throughout the week {wish I was saying daily, but I’m not-ha!} to do just that really helps!
The most important thing about taking care of ourselves is realizing when you need it AND doing something about it. You can’t pour from an empty cup, Mamas…take care of you! You deserve it!
I could go on and on about things I do or what we should do for ourselves but these are apparently the front runners. 🙂 What do you do to take care of yourself??
Don’t miss it next month when Shay and I discuss MOM FAILS! I’m starting my list already!
And a big ole’ HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO YOU!! Tonight is crazy busy for us so we’re celebrating in the dining room tomorrow night and we might even bust out the fancy glasses. Hope you celebrate big with your loves!
XO
AMEN to all of these, friend! It's amazing how just 45 minutes to myself will help my attitude tremendously. I get all kinds of cranky when I haven't had "me time". Good for you!
I loved all of these!! You totally hit the nail on the head!!
All great tips! I remember I took Carter and Devin to get my haircut once when Tracy was sick. I about lost my mind. Devin was about 5, and Carter was like 2, and it did not go well. #lessonlearned
Such great tips!! I love all of these! Thanks for the link up!
Going to an appointment, even an eye appointment solo is so nice! I love getting my hair cut and highlighted because I have a few uninterrupted moments to just read! xoxo ERIN
I've got major anxiety about your hair appt story!!! hahahaha! For the record, you are welcome to leave Britt with me anytime. I will clear my schedule for some Britty Britt time. 😉 That Inspired Chick
My kids are older now (middle school age) and I am amazed at how much better I feel now that I do a *few* things solo or just for myself. Why I never did this when they were young littles is beyond me, but yes-mama's need a time out sometimes. Dads are wonderful-make use of them! Good post!
Great tips. Hard to do without guilt. How do we overcome the guilt? Hmmmm
BTW.. that mystery dinner looked awesome. I didn't comment yesterday, but just thought that was the coolest.