Most mums accept that once children arrive we tend put all our care-giving into looking after their needs, often at the expense of our own. So when Tanya over at Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog tagged me with her self-care meme (in honour of Mother's Day in the US and Canada) I was delighted to give it a shot!
So here goes!
Preamble: Set aside some time during which you can relax and reflect. Sit in a comfortable spot. Try not to think too much about your answers - let them come from the core part of yourself. Once you've answered those questions you'll have a better idea of what you need to thrive. Ask yourself:
What do you miss most from your pre-baby life?
Spontaneity - being able to walk out the front door on a whim without having to make sure everyone has used the bathroom, checking the baby’s nappy, washing the children’s faces, finding shoes and putting on coats and so on.
Pre-baby meant going to the pub for lunch, going to the movies and not having to rush back for the babysitter, in fact, not having to book a babysitter in advance!
What activity would renew, recharge, and reenergize your body?
A good brisk walk always leaves me feeling nice and refreshed.
What activity would renew, recharge, and re-energize your mind?
Oh I just love taking photographs. Reading my monthly photography magazine fills me full of enthusiasm and I love to get out there and get shooting!
What activity would renew, recharge, and re-energize your spirit?
Oh definitely a session of Integrated Energy Therapy which is just so relaxing, re-energising and allows you to float away right into yourself - with some surprising revelations, followed by a lovely warm Radox bath!
What gift can I give to myself today?
Having injured myself recently, I am under doctor’s orders to rest and do nothing strenuous. Easier said than done though!
Being extremely house-proud, I find it very hard to sit back whilst the children wreck the place. As a result, I did a little too much picking up after them all yesterday and am in a lot of discomfort today!
So, today, I am going to obey my doctor! I will sit back, relax and do no unnecessary housework ...
When you look back at this time in your life, what will you regret not doing for yourself?
This is a difficult one. I sometimes worry that I’ll regret not putting my own teaching career first and worry that the children will think I was foolish to have quit teaching to stay at home with them.
I really hope that is not the case and I hope that when I tell them how I started a website and several blogs that they’ll be proud of me for not just concentrating on being a mum whilst being one.
What is one thing - however small - that you can do to make self-care integral to your week?
Getting to bed earlier would be a good start!
Usually I sit up far too late and then, with all the night-time visits our two youngest children make to our room, I feel exhausted every morning. At the moment it’s really showing in my skin which has gone a bit haywire from lack of a decent night’s sleep. So yeah, more early nights would be a good way to take more care of myself!
Well, that's it! Not too difficult really... so I guess it's my turn to pass the baton now - so I tag Melissa and Csara. Have fun, ladies...
To my US and Canadian mum readers, I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day! And what things can you do to take more care of yourselves? Post your answers in the comments below!
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