Are you a busy mom who anticipated a summer off with your kids with great anticipation only to find yourself feeling overwhelmed at this point of the season? Does it seem like your transition to summer has been a trade off from the busyness of the school year to a different kind of filled schedule? Whether it is due to sports schedules, kids being bored at home, or feeling like you have to cater to the needs of others all day long, I want to encourage all the busy moms to take the time to balance what we need with what our family needs from us. There are steps that we can take to practice self care in this season.
There are steps that we can take to practice self care in this season.
Transitioning from one season to the other does not necessarily happen overnight even though the school year comes to a sudden end. The anticipation of a break from the running around in one season can quickly be traded for a different type of running around in the next. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to juggle all the different needs.
Rest is possible with routines that flow in a rhythm that we lead.
Here are 4 simple steps that have helped me:
- Decide on what you need to feel refreshed and replenished. This becomes your self-care activity.
- Schedule a time during the day for at least 15 minutes to practice your selected self-care activity.
- Follow-through. It can be easy to fall into habits of taking care of our kids and others before taking care of ourselves. Make your self-care a priority. Have you considered setting an alarm for 15 minutes before your kids usually wake up or by staying up 15 minutes after they go to bed?
- Provide your kids with a structure to their day that creates the space for you to have what you need. Even though it is summer, having an overall schedule can help us make decisions about what to commit to. Even in the summer season, sometimes a pajama day can be in order.
Rest is possible with routines that flow in a rhythm that we lead.
Did you know that self-care can take as little as 10 minutes a day. It doesn’t have to be a full day at the spa, although that would be nice! According to UAM Medicine, engaging in a self-care activity can be approached by asking yourself how much time you have to devote to it.
As individuals, we are each uniquely designed. This means that each persons needs are different so it is important for us to find what works for us in the current season we are in. Whether we have babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, or young adults, our role as a Mom requires a lot.
If you are feeling stuck, I have created a simple Self Care Planning Guide that can help you recognize how self-care can look for you. You can download it here:
Our role as a Mom requires a lot.
I am walking alongside you on this busy mom life journey. I have learned from experience, that self care is an essential part of motherhood, which is why I am passionate about helping other moms embrace a practice of self care.
There are moments of joy and moments on the verge of burnout. Moments of pouring into others out of abundance and moments of feeling like we are running on empty. Let’s take some steps toward bettering our self-care and experience how it will improve our physical, mental, emotional health. We can experience first hand how it improves the way we engage with the demands of motherhood.
If you are looking for hope, perspective, and encouragement on you motherhood journey, I invite you to join the community so we can continue to move forward together.