After I posted my last mom confession I received so much encouragement that I was so normal for feeling frustrated at times. And also encouragement to take a break whenever I could get one, and to not feel guilty for wanting and taking a little "me time". I've realized that I do feel guilty when I take time to myself, or when I go out without Johnny, because he's literally such a big part of me. To almost quote Jim Gaffigan: I grew him in my body, I delivered him with my body and I feed him with my body. For the 9 months he was inside me he relied on me 100% for everything, and for the 9 months he's been out here it's been almost the same story. I'm sure some of the "guilt" I feel is just hormones, but I think that it's a real thing for moms to feel like they can't or shouldn't leave their babies.
(Just a little aside: I don't want to give the impression that I want to get away from Johnny. I like being with him. A lot. I knew what I was signing up for when I became pregnant and being a mom is the best job that I have had to date.)
(Just a little aside: I don't want to give the impression that I want to get away from Johnny. I like being with him. A lot. I knew what I was signing up for when I became pregnant and being a mom is the best job that I have had to date.)
But Johnny is getting bigger now, and though he still refuses to take a bottle he does really well with Alex. So I've decided I need to do a little self-care once a week to stay fresh and rested. It's like when you fly on a plane and the flight attendants are telling you what to do if the cabin loses pressure and the oxygen masks come shooting out. You get your own mask securely in place before you go help someone else. You need to breath, or you're no good to anyone. I need to breath, to be a better mom and a better wife.
So once a week I am going to do something on my own. Last week it was as simple as going in a different room, putting on head phones, and knitting uninterrupted for one hour. This week my self-care took the form of meeting a friend at the Liffey for a big ginger. A little self care can go a long way. When I am done I always feel more than ready to meet the needs of my family.
What about you, other mamas out there? What do you do to stay fresh and sane so that you can continue to be a great mother? I'd love to hear!
What about you, other mamas out there? What do you do to stay fresh and sane so that you can continue to be a great mother? I'd love to hear!