Love my kids. Really, I do.
They may be the most demanding bosses I’ve ever had, but come on, they’re also the cutest. Often, literally, at the same time. I mean, who else could have a mini breakdown because they (checks notes) don’t know where their crayons are (in the craft drawer), insist they haven’t seen them in ages (was colouring before bed last night) and that it is therefore somehow my fault that they didn’t see the pouch right in front of them (yeah, I totally made them blind).
Then, of course, two seconds later they curl up against me and tell me I’m the best mommy they have ever had. Yes, I do realise I’m their only mother, but the sentiment is real. Exhausting, but adorable.
Parenting is hard most days, rewarding most days and so very tiring all of the days. There are times when I feel like me and daddy are starring in one of those kidnapping movies, where the captors are a bit nuts, but since we have Stockholm syndrome it’s all good.
Like any demanding job, it’s crucial that we maintain some work-life balance. Or should I say kids-me balance? Either way, while we pour so much energy into taking care of the loves of our lives, we need to remember to keep some of that energy.
Being Supermom is no good if you ignore the “me” part of your job. As in, me needs some time away from those terrors. Did I say terrors? Obviously, I meant angels. Yep, angel faces and voices, drill sergeant attitudes.
After three kids I have learned to carve out some time for myself. With everything we do for them, taking a moment to breathe is something we absolutely need to do for ourselves. If only just to make sure we have the energy to jump back into the ring. Round Two!
Of course, what that looks like differs for each person. For me, I like to curl up with a book, build some Lego, do diamond painting or even find an hour or two to do some pampering, like a massage or mani-pedi.
Of course, it takes some time-wrangling but getting buffed, body-wise, can be just the thing that lets me have the patience to not tear my hair out when I have asked the little one to hurry up and get her shower… for the fifth time that night.
That’s another one, a salon visit with a mini head massage feel like a fair trade for all the times I do actually pull my hair out.
Seriously, we only have so much gas in the tank. So, an integral part of taking care of those beautiful and amazing tiny ones is making sure we keep the engine going. We can’t give more to them if we don’t also remember to give some to ourselves. It makes us better parents and better humans in general.
So, the next time you have to start the countdown to three (two… two and quarter… don’t make me say three!), start a second countdown to your “you time”. Set the timer, lock yourself in the bathroom (after the munchkin’s long- awaited shower), and just take a breath. Because being rested and refueling truly is the best thing you can do for those tiny dictators — and yes, the crayons were in the craft drawer after all. Fancy that.
