Yes, quite a touchy title yeah? Well, if you’ve had a day like mine then you know where I am at. And if you’ve had a wonderful day with your littles where they were sweet and loving and listened, well then…lucky you!
If you aren’t familiar with the Safe-haven laws (also known in some states as “Baby Moses laws”, in reference to the religious scripture). They are statutes in the United States that decriminalize the leaving of unharmed infants with statutorily designated private persons so that the child becomes a ward of the state.
I write this post in jest and would never want to leave my child indefinitely but sometimes, man! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a break?!
The city of Flagstaff offers some truly wonderful resources for new parents when preparing to bring a little nugget of joy into the world. Some of the courses are; boot camp for dads, parenting 101, preparing for birth, etc. Please feel free to read about them all on their website.
When my husband and I were preparing for our little one to join our family we didn’t know what to expect and these courses really helped us with the first year in what to expect and how to take care of yourself so you can be the best parent you can be. But where are the classes for toddlers?! Over the next few posts I will list some great ways to help manage parenthood some of which include; take time for yourself, take time for your relationship, prioritize, accept help, etc.
Let’s get started on ways to take time for yourself:
Yes, I know….crazy right? Try to look back on life before you did everything for these little ones. What did you like to do? What were your hobbies? I know now they are peeling stickers off the floor, or cleaning oatmeal bits out of your bed (even though you don’t allow food in beds and you never even saw them go in there, also where did the oatmeal come from, we don’t even have any in the pantry!…wait, is it even oatmeal?)
I digress, try to remember a few things you liked to do or used to enjoy and pick one. Next, schedule a sitter or set up a plan with your partner to get this thing done.
Examples:
Did you like to read? Ok, perfect. This one might not even take a baby sitter. Take some time when the kids are asleep.
- Find a book online, on your shelf, or your local bookstore.
- Next work on when you get to read. You might have to shift your schedule a little and let those dishes sit so you can have 10 minutes to get through chapter 1- or even page 1.
- ENJOY! Even after a few minutes for yourself you’ll quickly realize how rejuvenated you feel and ready to tackle that mystery oatmeal.
Was yoga your thing? A quiet uninterrupted hour where you can be with yourself and connect your mind to your body. Let’s get it set up.
- Find free yoga videos online, see if your local gym holds any, join in for yoga at the park put on by the city of Flagstaff.
- Next. Baby sitter swap with a friend or jump on the Mountain Mamas sitter swap list. Ask family or friends or your sitter if you have one you love to cover you for that hour + drive time.
- ENJOY! I mean it, no guilt, no worries about the cost, the time away from your little, just enjoy.
Think about it Mamas, we spend so much time worrying and making sure we make the right food, follow the right schedule, use the right soap, buy the right toys that we forget something HUGE.
If we don’t take care of us, what are we really teaching our children? They are tiny sponges and if they don’t see us taking the time to make us happy and healthy they will think it’s not important for them to have self-care…..food for thought. See you next time!
How do you balance parenthood and seld-care?