Read the last 4 posts to get caught up on the tools I have learned to avoid getting mommy burn-out.
Here's another way I have learned to avoid burn-out:
4) Get some distance
Absence does make the heart grow fonder, and that is especially true for the parent/child relationship. I try to do this regularly in two ways:
A) Date Nights
When Jeremiah and I got married we became a complete family unit. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, our children didn't complete us or our family...they are an added blessing and addition to our family. Because of this mindset we try (as much as time and budget allow!) to go on frequent date nights. Getting away, just the two of us, is really important for reminding me that I am wife first, mommy second. We also try to limit the amount of time we can talk about the kids or church while on the date...and just reconnect.
B) Mom's Night Off
Every Monday night (that we are in town or don't have company or another unbreakable obligation) is my night off. When Jeremiah gets home from work, I am officially "off duty". I am free to do whatever I want or need to get done. I have spent my nights off painting, shopping, sitting in a coffee shop reading a book, re-upholstering our dining room chairs, uploading pictures, having dinner/dessert with a girlfriend, cleaning out a closet(yes, really), running errands without the kids in tow, etc. It is my time to remember what I love to do, to keep "in tune" whatever talents or interests the Lord has given me. I don't view this time as time that I "deserve", and if something comes up in the schedule where it doesn't happen I don't pout =) But, I do treasure this time.
I ALWAYS come home from date nights or nights off with a renewed energy and thankfulness to see Ella and Ezra.
About Me
Jesus follower. After that I'm happily married, mom to four, homeschooler, traveler, photographer, and never one to turn down a good cup of coffee.
Popular Posts
-
I do believe Haiti has thrown me into a time warp. I cannot believe we are pushing three weeks? Time moves differently here...slower day...
-
It's always a wild ride with this one. Photo credit: Ezra James With Ella still gone, we recruited some neighborhood friends ...
-
Because of the Memorial Day holiday there aren't any coupon inserts scheduled for this Sunday the 24th. I know I'll enjoy a clip-fre...
-
Jeremiah and I went out on a date for our 6 year anniversary. Obviously, you can tell from the pictures that the kids were just miserable th...
-
We decided that we would split up the drive this year and stopped about 6 hours into the trip. Our one ( realistic ) request was that our ho...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2008
(345)
-
▼
July
(27)
- Mommy burn-out, part 5
- Mommy burn-out, part 4
- Mommy burn-out, part 3
- Mommy burn-out, part 2
- Mommy burn-out, part 1
- Mommy burn-out, introduction
- Memory Monday
- What we've been up to...
- catching up...
- Be Encouraged...
- The closing of St. Arbucks
- Camp: recap
- Camp: day three
- Camp: day two
- Camp: day one
- And we're off...
- Library book update
- Snapfish Deal
- Just because...
- Make new friends...
- Eikon blog
- You can't catch me...I'm the gingerbread man!
- Picture overload
- appy birtday jeremia!
- Can you guess?
- Happy Fourth of July!
- Packing for vacation...and feeling blah
-
▼
July
(27)
1 comments:
O.k. so I need my notebook. I need to right all these down. They really are great.
Post a Comment