Parenting is fun. Parenting is exciting. Parenting is full of wonder. Parenting is the greatest adventure of all…
But parenting is tiring. It’s busy. There is always something to do, always someone to see, and always somewhere to be. The to-do list seems to grow by the minute. The more items I check off the list, the more seem to magically appear.
And don’t get me started on the holidays…we haven’t even gotten through Halloween, and yet the Christmas decorations are everywhere. That brings a new level of things to do, people to see, and places to go.
It’s easy to forget about the importance of quiet when life is busy, busy, busy.
It’s easy to overlook our own needs when there is so much else to do.
Parenting requires at least 100%, often much more. Parenting requires patience, listening skills, and more empathy than you ever thought you could muster.
It’s impossible to give 100% when you’re running on empty and hoping against hope that that cold somehow escapes you. It’s impossible to be empathic and patient at all times when you feel stretched thin and ready to snap.
We need to take care of ourselves. We need to nurture our souls, feed and rest our bodies, and work through our emotions.
Time tends to be the thing that we all have the least of, but it’s so very important to find that coveted “me time”.
Sometimes it comes in the form of a steaming hot mug of tea with a good book to pass the evening hours.
Other times it looks more like a quick run on the elliptical during those twenty minutes that could easily be put toward cleaning and organizing.
Or maybe it’s a much-needed date night…a dinner out, a glass of wine, and maybe even a shared dessert.
We remind ourselves to focus on the little things as we attempt to avoid the stress of parenting. We watch our children in small moments and celebrate the every day.
It’s time that we do the same for ourselves.
It’s time to find the small moments of me time and celebrate those too…
Go ahead. Savor that hot apple cider while you watch the stars for a few moments each night.
You won’t regret it. That’s a promise.