Take Care of Yourself, So You Can Take Care of Others
This might be a hard lesson to learn for most moms. I think by nature, we’re pretty selfless and will do everything we can for our families before we take care of us. But how are we supposed to take care of everyone else when we’re the ones that need a little TLC? Fortunately, I can say that I’m doing pretty good on this front. I am able to take care of myself by doing things like going to the gym and getting my pedicures. And what makes it easier is having a supportive husband. I realize not everyone has the latter, but it is still important to find ways to be kind to YOU. (Email me on that one if you need help!! I’m good at finding ways to pamper yourself!)
One thing I remember when Emma was an infant, before she was even diagnosed, was that I never wanted to leave her. I did, on occasion, but I wasn’t really present in the activity…my mind was always on her. Then we got the diagnosis. Can you imagine what that did to our social life?!? Down the drain! We still went out on occasion, but for very short periods and we really only left the kids with the grandparents. I’m not sure when the light switch turned on for me, but I was finally able to get out of the house and take a nice break (dinner, movie, etc.) and enjoy that time away. Granted, it was after we felt like we had a good grasp on Emma’s condition, and we were able to trust a little more. We were never without our cellphones close by. And that was ok. The point is that we made it out. You have to do this in order to a) maintain your sanity and b) maintain your marriage.
And I should mention that this advice is for EVERY mom, not just moms of kids with special needs. I know parents who have “typical” kids who never go out. I would lose my ever-lovin-mind, I tell ya!! So find something that sounds good to you…a new book at the bookstore, a hike (we Phoenicians have had beautiful weather!!), a pedicure, a good gossip magazine, and I could go on. You don’t have to spend a lot (or any) money. The point is that you’re doing something for you.
What have you done for yourself lately? I have signed up for a new adventure. It’s not something I want to divulge yet, but I will!! I want to hear about YOU!! (by the way, I am loving the quotes you guys have sent me! They are ALL beautiful! I have lots of thinkin’ to do!)
For the fathers out there that includes Golf or a ggod sporting event.
The other day I was working at my home office and engrossed in a project. My Siamese cat, Yin, came in the room, walked over to me and started meowing. At first, I ignored him as I was busy and knew there was no emergency. But, he kept it up. Finally, I turned to him and said: “I will pick you up and pet you later, I am busy now.” As soon as I said this to Yin, I was suddenly hit with a bolt of lightening. Yin was not meowing for me to pick him up and pet him, he was meowing because he instinctively knew I NEEDED A HUG!! I turned to pick him up and let HIM HUG ME!! So, the point of my story is that I beleive the universe is always sending us what we need…but most of the time I am not “paying attention” to what is real.