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Spa-Me

What About Mom?
by Teri Mitchell

How often have you thought - "I take care of my husband, the children, the household, buying of gifts, planning of birthdays/other holidays or get togethers, am a nurse, secretary, chauffeur" and the list goes on and on. But do you take the time to think - "What about Mom?"

So often women end up with so much on their plates as wives, mothers, workers and business owners that they themselves get lost in the shuffle. It doesn't matter what your situation is: Moms with family to help, Moms without family to help, Single Moms, Married Moms, Stay-at-home Moms, Working Moms, Working at home Moms, the responsibilities can be overwhelming to say the least. There has always been the debate of who has it harder stay-at-home moms or working moms but both sides have similar and different challenges on a daily basis. The important thing to remember is to take care of "MOM". The longer you go on giving and doing, without giving back to yourself, the more stressed and tense you will become. Believe me, I've been there and done that! :)

There are different ways to give back to yourself and I will list the ones women have shared with me along with my favorites. **Leave the kids with hubby or a friend and take a long walk. **Spend sometime alone in your bedroom with the door shut --- even if it's only for 5-10 minutes. It's amazing what as little as 5 minutes of quiet can do for you. You ask, "What do I do?".......ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Close your eyes and sit quiet if that's not your cup of tea, then read another chapter in the book you have been trying to finish. Or spend a few minutes on that quilt, cross-stitch, latch hook rug or gift you have been meaning to finish.

I know 5-10 minutes doesn't sound like much but in a week, it's 35-70 minutes for you that you weren't getting before and think how you will feel when you finish that book or project or how peaceful you will feel after your quiet time. **Start that exercise program you have been putting off. I just started my second 12-week "Body for Life" Challenge. I take 20-45 minutes each morning to either do weight training or an aerobic workout. My 4 year old son and I go downstairs and he "exercises" right along with me. Believe me, if I even try to skip a workout he won't let me! :) He likes watching me workout and participates on the ones he can do.

You don't have to do the "Body for Life" program, buy several video tapes you are interested in. The body change for me in the last 12 weeks has been amazing and because of this, I am committed to continuing plus I know I am a calmer mom because of the exercising. It really does relieve stress! **Start a craft project. I rubberstamp and since my son has seen me doing it, we now share this fun time.

Of course he steals my stamps and ink pads but that's half the fun. I, also, try to take one evening every 3-4 weeks to just stamp and create. Some may want to try once a week after the kids are in bed, if you can fit it in. **Hire a babysitter or drop the kids off at relatives and have a "date" with your husband or a "girl's night out". Go to a movie, go shopping for you, go to a concert, it really doesn't matter what you do as long as it's fun and a break from the daily routine that can wear you down.

**Take a long soak bath complete with candles and your favorite music. Yes, most importantly, the door stays closed. Let everyone know before hand it's Mom's time.

**Go to the park and people watch or commune with nature.

These are just a few examples of ways to recharge your mind, body and energy. What have you been wanting to do for yourself? Pick something and commit to doing it daily or weekly depending on how long of an activity it is. Your family will find a more relaxed and maybe even a bit carefree Mom in the house. This will help them respect you as a person not just a mom—that you have needs too. You may even find that your family starts encouraging your "MOM" time when they see the difference it makes. Or they may participate like I mentioned about exercising with my small son. It's my time for me but he enjoys participating so it's a "win-win" situation for both of us.

If you don't make time and take it you can't expect those around you to know when you are getting stressed out or to respect that you need "wind down time" too. Because remember the old saying, "If you don't take care of yourself, how can you expect anyone else too".

About the Author: Teri Mitchell is a stay-at-home mom with her own online business. She is committed to helping others succeed in business as well as grow personally. You can subscribe to her bimonthly newsletter at: "mailto:WMONews@quicktell.net" and visit her website at
http://www.wealthmastersonline.com http://www.wealthmastersonline.com