Rest and Relaxation as a Mom: Oxymoron?

You think your life is busy until you start having kids. Then you have a baby. Now you are taking care of yourself and another human being. Then you have another one. There's three people you are taking care of. Add another one? Now you have four people you are taking care of. There is dropping them off at school or daycare. Changing diapers, washing dishes, doing laundry. I better stop before you decide you don't want anymore kids now.

It does get easier as they get older. They can start clearing off the table when they are done eating, they can clean their rooms, they can help you put things away.

But now to the topic. Is Relaxing as a Mom an oxymoron? If you wait to find the type, yes. A lot of days, getting a chance to relax may not come on it's own. If you make the time to relax, it can happen.

I have one child in elementary, one in preschool two days a week, one in diapers still, and a dog. I make sure that most days, I take the time to relax and just be me. Not Mom, just me. Here are some ideas to help.

1) In order to fully get to relax, play with your kids. They want your attention. They want you to play with them and be with them. Read them a few books, play a game with them. Then tell them that is mommy's time to relax on the computer, or reading a book, or whatever your choice of relaxing is. A lot of times they will still interrupt you. As everyone gets used to this, the older ones will start knowing that Mommy makes time for herself to relax. The little ones will still cry for a diaper change, but we love them enough to give up our time for a moment.

2) Take time when you can get it. The kids are all in bed and the house is quiet. You need to get some milk at the store. If dad is home, take the chance and get out. Turn the radio off in the car and enjoy the silence. Or turn the music up loud and enjoy not having to keep turning it down because your child wants to talk with you.

3) Take a nap or a shower to refresh I realize this one is a lot harder for a lot of moms. You don't feel comfortable sleeping while your three year old wanders the house. If you have kids at school, you don't have to worry about those. If you have a little one that still uses the crib for naps, you can put them in there. It's the ones in between you have to worry about. You know your kid and whether you can trust them while you take a quick nap or shower.

4) Take one minute. All children in your house can be okay left alone for one minute. Occupy them with a toy or snack. Go to your room, shut the door, and just breathe. Relish the quietness. Take a deep breathe. Clear your mind. Enjoy. Then go break the fight that started while you were gone.