As moms, we always put everyone else first. After taking care of our career, the kids, our spouses and the house, there is little time or energy left for ourselves. Being a mom is extraordinary and amazing, and I am so blessed to have 2 incredible children but sometimes I need a break. This doesn’t make me weak or selfish. It doesn’t mean I am ungrateful for being a parent. It just means I need a moment to breathe, and that’s okay!
There are days when I just want to cry or scream and sometimes both at the same time. I feel like no matter how hard I try or how much I do, it is never enough. There is always someone who isn’t happy and often times that includes me. It is so incredibly exhausting to try to do it all.
During the school year I work full-time and in the summers I am home so I can honestly say that I know what it feels like to be both a working and stay at home mom. Let me tell you, they are both hard!! When I work, there is never enough time in the day to get everything done and to make everyone happy. Then when I am home in the summers, I miss the escape of being at work. What does that mean? It means being a mom is hard! I mean really hard.
Being a mom brings me such great joy and happiness but it also brings frustration and sadness. It’s crazy how many emotions are wrapped up in being a parent. During this journey, there are times that I just need a break. I need to take a walk, go for a drive or just lock myself in my room. I need a mommy time out. Does that make me a bad mom? No! I think that makes me normal. I also think it’s important for us to take those breaks when we need them.
I recently went away with another family, and my friend showed me how important it is to take some time for myself. So we left the kids with our husbands and got a drink (or 2) at the bar and just talked and laughed. It was a much needed break. When we returned, I felt refueled and ready to tackle the next family adventure!
Moral: Take that much needed mommy break! Get a pedicure, grab a cup of coffee with a friend or go for a run. Take some time for yourself. In the end, it will make you a better mom!