Bopanna considers it
imperative that parents give themselves a break and take care of
themselves. She says, “If parents find themselves stressed
and cranky, it may be helpful to explain to their child that it's
because mommy's tired or some such reason—and not them.”
Boppana adds, “When parents take care of themselves, it's
a good way of teaching their children that taking care of themselves
is important too!"
The supermom role is a very demanding task, and trying to constantly
be on top of things can take its toll. Self-renewal and recharging
batteries can help. So what’s the best way to make “me
time”?
I like to make a list of things that make me happy and energetic.
For instance, items on my list include visiting a bookstore to find
new titles, watching a movie with a friend, window shopping at the
mall or hitting the gym for exercise by myself. I recommend including
one of the items of your personal list into your regular to-do list.
Incorporating an item from your happy to-do list into your day-to-day
to-do list will ensure that you set aside time to relax, and eventually,
this will turn into a regular routine for you.
Other moms include their kids in their “me
time”. Dimpy Bakshi, clinical pharmacist and mother, takes
her kids to the basement, where she has her treadmill and they have
their toys. Bakshi finds it to be “a win-win situation because
they stay busy with their toys and I get to de-stress by working
out.” But, for activities that are better to do childless,
Bakshi likes to get a babysitter once a week, allowing her to do
errands such as shopping.
Afrika Kathuria, a stay-at-home mom, ensures she
sets aside time for herself by setting up a bimonthly spa or hair
appointment. Her other secrets for taking “me time”
include doing solo movie nights, dinner or movies with friends and
sleeping in on the weekends while her husband wakes up early with
the kids. She also makes use of the time her four-year-old is at
Tae Kwon Do practice: “I have been able to check up with friends
on the phone, finish the morning paper or a few pages in a book.”
For Christie Johnson, a mother who works from
home, her biggest sacrifice after having children was her lack of
sleep. She remedies this by taking turns with her husband sleeping
in on the weekends.
Johnson also thinks it’s important to keep
up with her hobbies, like running. She takes turns with her husband
so they can run on weekends. In the summer, she runs while her husband
puts the kids to bed and vice versa. Johnson schedules in alone
time with her husband too. “We also have a good friend who
takes my kids one week and I take [hers] the next—every Tuesday
for an hour and a half. That is really helpful.”
Ashini Desai, software professional and mother,
thinks that the best way to carve out time for yourself is to declare
that time and make it known. Desai took health classes at her gym
last year and went to every session because it gave her an hour
out of the house. Likewise, a friend of hers signed up for a weekly
cooking class. “Essentially, you relish every little break
you get,” Desai says. “You don't need a whole day off
to recharge. Just an hour is enough sometimes.”
Setting aside some “me time” is an
important resolution and one that could alleviate daily stress.
Vakil found that “me time” gave her back her identity.
Now, she can hold intelligent conversations on topics other than
kids or school. She also finds herself more animated and less crabby.
For Sharan, the constant state of exhaustion made her more sluggish,
but “me time” gives her the advantage of mental and
physical refreshment.
With the arrival of the New Year, resolutions for weight loss
and turning a new leaf will be made aplenty. As mothers, we are
constantly making choices for our children’s future. Allow
yourself some time off and see the instant improvements in your
life! Whether it’s watching a movie, trying healthy yoga moves
or reading a book uninterrupted, try to rejuvenate yourself by getting
in touch with your neglected self.
So, what are you waiting for? Follow a plan, refuel the energy
tank and GO!
Meena Vathyam is a stay-at-home mom of two
great children and constantly juggles their busy schedules while
trying to keep up with their never-ending demands. She is always
on the lookout for ways to enrich and balance her family life without
neglecting her own passions for writing, blogging and reading. She
can be contacted at mvathyam@gmail.com
and blogs at http://meenav.wordpress.com.
Navdeep Kathuria lives in Northern Virginia and is the Editor-in-Chief
of ABCDlady.
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