Apr 22 2009
Total neglect!
Where in the world have I been? I don’t even know if I can answer that question directly to give you an idea of why I have not posted to this blog recently. Besides my own health issues and trying to coordinate the lives of four children, life has been BUSY.
I know I don’t have to tell you. If you’re a parent then you know exactly what I mean. Life gets going and some of the things we’d like to do fall to the wayside. No harm, no foul… no worries.
Not.
That’s probably one of the problems: Worry. I’m worried about getting my teenager into college and her health issues, about my youngest child’s eczema and lack of interest in potty training (she’s almost 2 for goodness sake), and the beginning of my two middle children’s educational careers. I worry about my own health, about making money and about getting everything accomplished.
In all of that, how do I not neglect myself? Well, surprisingly, I’ve found some clues to that over the past couple of days or so. The first is stop putting myself last. I can put myself first - showering when I want, putting on a little makeup and taking time to do a little extra - and still take good care of my children. I can get things accomplished without rushing and yelling (okay, so I still yell sometimes!), and be okay with the things that don’t get done.
Now, honestly, that last one is hard, right? I did just talk about worrying a few minutes ago.
The point is not to neglect ourselves. Add a dab of lip gloss if that’s what makes you happy, put on a kid’s movie and get all the laundry put away if it’s going to help you get ready in the morning… those types of things. Make your bed before you leave the house and see if you aren’t excited about getting back into it that night. Slip on some high-heeled, kid friendly sandals. Yes, you can look hot a be a mom!
Get my point?
Good… now, tell me what you do to keep from neglecting yourself.
