Guest post from Sarah Robinson
How are you feeling mama? Do you ever feel run down and tired? If we’re not careful to choose the activities of the day, we get overrun with stress all too quickly! We’re not just physically tired, but we’re tired of dealing with disciplining them, teaching them and nurturing them. The calls of “mom” and “what’s for dinner”, and “Can you tell her to stop?!”, just get to be a little too much! I know that my family is my biggest calling in life and I normally love my job as wife and mother, but sometimes I get a bad attitude. I get selfish and want to feel sorry for myself. What can I do to stop feeling like this? I know God does not want me to have this poor, pitiful me attitude! Here are some ideas that may help, when you get to feeling this way. (I’m talking to myself here, too!)
- Read Your Bible. Do you read your Bible regularly? I know as busy moms it is so easy to put that off to the last thing to squeeze in. After all, we have so many people needing things from us! Can I encourage you to make that change along with me? Would you start reading your Bible on a regular basis, even if you think you don’t have time? Even if it’s just 5 minutes a day. Spending time in His word makes you want to be more like Him. Being more like Him means you’re a little less likely to be impatient or selfish. And that, my friend is exactly what our families need from us!
- Get Alone. Sometimes, I feel like I can’t take another voice in my ear. I’ll yell, “Don’t say mommy!” and they think it’s funny. Little do they know that I’m serious. I’ve had all that I can handle. That’s when I know that I need to take a few minutes to get alone where nobody is talking to me. Sometimes, that’s the biggest thing for me. I get to the point that I am on sensory overload. Six children needing something from me, even if it’s just a drink sometimes makes my brain shut down. I get confused on what they asked and if I answered them or not. If you’re feeling overloaded, take a minute to explain to the children that you need some quiet time to gather your thoughts and just bask in the quiet for a little while. Sometimes 15 minutes locked in the bathroom or bedroom is all you need to face the day with all the love and understanding that children need!
- Get Plenty of Rest! I have a confession to make. I LOVE to stay up late! But, when I’m really tired, I’m more likely to be grumpy to my family. If you stay up late like me, don’t try to squeak by on just a few hours of sleep. Get to bed earlier, or get up later. Do what works, but make sure you’re well rested. If your schedule is causing your family to suffer, change it!
- Plan a Date Night. Do you make a point to spend some time alone with your hubby? I get such a recharge by getting out of the house alone with my husband. We love to go out for dinner, go on a walk, or go to a movie (I know it sounds strange, but sometimes we just need that mental break and time together, not talking). We live out in the country and many nights you’ll find us walking the driveway back and forth and and talking! Make it a priority to spend some special time together. Not only does it recharge your mom battery, it also rekindles your marriage!
- Plan a Meal Out With a Friend. I love getting away with my friends for a meal. It just does my heart good to talk about “mom stuff”. Sometimes, nobody understands your struggles better than another mom. I don’t think we need to make this a requirement to our sanity, but every once in a while, for a short time, stepping away from your family is a big enough boost to really pump you up and get you excited to serve them. (Make sure your husband is on board with this idea first.) If it’s not possible for you to get away without your family, set up some time where you can talk on the phone or on the internet to another mom. I have a friend that I do this with regularly late at night, when life is too busy to get away.
- Be Intentional. Do you do things out of obligation? Make sure that your daily activities are things that you really need to be doing. Is what you choose to be doing is going to help your family or hinder them? Be very careful of what you commit yourself to. This will eliminate stress in the long run!
- Take Care of Yourself. Make sure you’re not eating loads of sugar and junk food all day. That will make you feel rotten. If you maintain a healthy balance of fruits and vegetables in addition to getting your water in you’ll have more energy and makes your brain function better. Take some time to exercise for a few minutes a day and you’ll find that you feel more rested.
- Count Your Blessings. If I’m really feeling overwhelmed or depressed, I will sit back and try to think about all the things God has blessed me with. Of course, your family is your biggest blessing and they’re around you all the time. Try to focus on different ways that each person in your family blesses you. Take the time to tell them how they bless you, too. Pray that God shows you how to best use your time and resources to serve them.
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