Mom, Take 5

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Attention Moms: Take 5

Stay at home moms, working moms, single moms, we are are all “mommin” TWENTY-FOUR hours a day. There is no “clocking out” or paid time off from being a mom. It’s no nine to five shift and it definitely doesn’t come with a paycheck. It can be a tough gig, and although it is equally rewarding, it can drain us. I want to share something I have personally been working on. It’s something to put into your daily routine when needed and you can even start today.

What I am talking about is taking some time for yourself. Ideally, a long uninterrupted nap, maybe a nice relaxing bubble bath, or a mom’s night out would do the trick, but we all know that those don’t happen too often. What I am proposing is just five minutes to decompress when needed. It’s going to look a little different for everyone, and it really depends on your day, when you feel you need it most, AND when you can make it work.

The point of it is to disconnect from the chaos and reset before you letting that stress consume the remaining hours of your day. This may be a sad attempt at an analogy, but it’s sort of like shaking an Etch-A-Sketch clean and starting again. Before, the picture is a mess full of scribbles, ups and downs, highs and lows, circles and loops, you know, exactly like how our days usually feel. Maybe you had a hectic day at work, or you’ve been at home all day with a rowdy toddler and teething baby, the list could go on and on. Whatever it is, you’ve had a day, you’re tired, and you need a breather. These are the days you need to take 5.

In our house, we only have a few short hours once everyone is home until bedtime. This time is precious to me and there have been days, more than I’d like to admit, that I’ve let the strain of the day stick with me and set the tone for the night. I am talking about the days when I literally feel like I am running on fumes by the time my husband walks in the door from work. He walks in and there I am trying to make a somewhat healthy dinner and trying to keep cool with my “hangry” toddler who is refusing to pick up the mess of Play-Doh she made on the table. With one look, he can usually tell how my day has gone.

I have a hard time disconnecting from the stress. Like a lot of moms, I am not the best at asking for help and tend to just “power through” until bedtime. But I’ve learned that when I have a chance to step away for even a few minutes to myself, or when my husband scoops up the kids and takes them outside to play and I have some time to finish up dinner in peace, I feel SO much better. Sometimes I just close the door, lay on my bed for a few minutes of absolute silence and that’s all I need. My patience builds back up, my anxiety lowers, and I can be present and embrace this time with my family.

Like I mentioned before, this is something I’m really working on and it’s not always easy. Finding and freeing up just 5 minutes to do this can be a challenge, BUT I still want to encourage you to try it a few times and see what it can do for you because you are a mom and you deserve it!

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Kristen Anstey
Kristen is a midwest-minded mom who moved from Nebraska to Arizona in 2010. She met her husband, Alex, in high school and after finishing college they made the move to the desert to start new roots in Mesa. Formerly an elementary teacher, she is new to the role of stay at home mom and still trying to adjust to the changes and new levels of exhaustion that have come along with it. Growing up in a small town is a big part of why she loves the East Valley. Finding humor in motherhood keeps her life sane in the day to day with her sassy, but oh so sweet toddler Amelia and blue eyed, baby boy Cohen. Trying her best to embrace the chaos of life with little ones, she loves a good home DIY project, date nights, and traveling with her family. She is a latte drinking, toddler chasing mom who loves to surround herself with other moms who dislike laundry, decaf coffee, and changing diapers as much as she does.

1 COMMENT

  1. Good post.

    I like how things are changing allowing more parents to work from home. My wife and I have 3 kids. We both work from home and share pretty much all responsibilities. It really helps when one of us can pick up the slack when another needs a break.

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