Being a mom is a challenging job! We have so many hats of responsibility… which often leaves taking care of MOM at the bottom of the to do list.
The past few weeks, I have made a shift in my thinking. In order for me to be the best WIFE, MOTHER, FRIEND, ME I am called to be… I need to take care of me!
I am a busy mom to three bouncing boys (ages 5, 3, 1). I often get asked, “How do you do it!?” which is often followed by, “You must be busy!” I chuckle and brush it off as funny… but the truth is, I am busy! All Mom’s are busy… whether you have one child or nineteen!
We must remember to take care of MOM – because MOM is the glue that holds the family together.
When Mama aint happy, Nobody is happy!
What time of day works best for you to be active? How do you make sure you stick to those planned workouts?
I love to workout in the morning. I find that I have the most energy and my children are more cooperative. I also love knowing that no matter how the rest of the day goes… I accomplished something.
Good communication is key for me to sticking with my planned workouts. I communicate with my husband when I want to run on days he is home (or expected to be home early). I communicate with my children letting them know that THIS is the PLAN that is GOING TO happen that morning/day. I communicate with my support team who help kick me out the door rooting me on. I communicate with my planner, looking to see what my day/week has in store and what I have planned for the day.
This Mama is not perfect, but a work in progress. I am constantly hitting road blocks, falling off the wagon, and running in freak hail storms. But I keep moving forward… striving to be the best ME I can be.
Two of mine drove me nearly insane (3 and 1) by screaming and crying. I have no idea how you do it. But I did hear some moms have quite kids that can do puzzles for hours. Have a great week
LOL!!! Yes, I have heard of those lucky FEW Moms that have QUIET kids that can sit for hours: coloring, doing puzzles, and entertaining themselves.
NOT MINE! 😛 Mine are wild monkeys who are constantly jumping/bouncing off the walls and the furniture!! I can relate… which is why THIS MAMA needs to run. LOL
Taking time to take care of us just makes us better moms, wives and pretty much any other role we take on. Your busy is a bit like when people say to me you’re so brave. I always look a little blank, smile and say no braver than any other mom. We do what we have to do. Keep taking care of you!
I know, right!? I think we just do what we have to do in order to survive… this crazy world of motherhood. 🙂
Honestly that is something I have to keep reminding myself. Mamavation helps me stay focused and realizing that taking care of me is the best thing I can do for anyone around me. And it’s not selfish!
you are so right! I just really need to get back to taking care of me and trusting that God will make sure that I can get to all the other stuff I need to in order to move.
Great job!
Thank you. I have found that when I make God a PRIORITY in my life (and my family’s) everything else falls into place almost effortlessly – simple enough, right?
Thanks for stopping by, Jen! I look forward to getting to know you and following you on your journey. 🙂
Yes. We matter too and have to make time to care for ourselves. I always have to relearn that as a mom! It’s so true though. I make time to workout in the morning and utilize the gym daycare to do so. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for it, but then I realize thats silly bec I’m caring for myself and therefore caring for my family.
Communication is definitely key, as well as determination. I too fell into the trap of just being mom and couldn’t find my way out until the end of 2010. I went to the doctor, scheduled an appointment and in January decided no matter what the results turned out to be I would get in shape and be happy with who I am. I’ve been doing it ever since, but I am still learning to do for myself and not everyone else. I tend to be a more morning exerciser otherwise I have all 4 kids home and it becomes a hassle to workout. Good luck on getting this commitment to become a routine and get the family involved, I know it can be tough.
Hi. Thanks for stopping by! Yes determination is key too! My family is totally on board and support me 100%. It is just convincing the littles to hop in the double jogger (or ride their bike) so I can head out to run… or workout in front of the TV (and not play with them). That is the biggest challenge I face as a Mom. 😛
I see that you are applying to be the next Mamavation mom. Good luck! I support you… it is a rough go… but definately worth it! Let me know if you would like to know anything more about the program. 🙂
That’s almost word for word what my counselor said – take care of me or else everything will feel like it’s falling apart. Take care of me and I will be able to handle things a lot better!
Now I just have to find some kind of workout that I enjoy enough to want to do it. The weather’s finally warming up, so hopefully I can start getting back on my bike. What would you do if you couldn’t run? I am having such a hard time getting started. Maybe I need to communicate with myself. lol.
I love love love your busy, chaotic, crazy, insane life… because YOU make it look easy. I’m glad to have you back on the wagon and super glad you remembered you had the strength to climb back up.
I ADORE YOU!!! SUPER big hugs!
Always a great motivator, girl! Yes, this mama rules and roost in this household also. We really do so many of the small detailed items that keep the family together. Always good to remember that our journey is not a selfish one, but one that will give back to our family in so many ways.
Have a great week! You might not be perfect, but determination wins the race of life.
You are so right being a mom is super busy and without communication then nothing can be effectively accomplished in our day.
I am lucky that I only have 1 (at the moment) that stays home with me and the other two head off to school. I feel it lets me schedule things later in the day that I don’t have to rush to get done in the morning, but I may take the feeling of getting things accomplished into account in making a morning activity move.