Mom, Make Yourself A Priority

In order to write this blog entry today, I just did the unthinkable- I turned off my phone. I know this may seem like a crazy thing to do. What if there is an emergency? What if someone needs to talk to me? What if I miss the latest updates on Facebook and Twitter? Yeah I know. I kind of felt weird turning my phone off. But, I’m happy I was able to do it.

I have learned that once you are a mom your to-do list is never ending. We have so much to do and most of the time the duties we have are associated with benefiting others. However, we need to make sure we carve out some personal time for ourselves. Mommies need to reboot and do the things that she loves. This is vital and should be a golden rule for all mommies. Having time to yourself enable you to do other tasks more effectively. You will feel happier knowing that you got in some time for yourself and you won’t feel bogged down by other things. Also, scheduling time in just for you helps you step outside of the routine of being a mom. I know it can be tough and you may find yourself falling back in line and forgetting about you, but you have to make a conscious decision to make some time for yourself. You can’t wait around for anyone to ask you if you need some time to yourself. You must claim it, own it, and demand it because you deserve it.

Do whatever it is that you love. Shop, sew, read, write, draw, take a class, go for a walk, take a weekend trip, learn a language, or even learn how to juggle if you want to. Do whatever it is that your heart desires. Make the time for yourself: It will make you a happier person. It can be for a few hours or a weekend, whatever you and the person who is watching your children decide on. One weekend a month my husband watches our daughter while I have a mommy weekend off to do whatever I want. I can use that time to study, go to workshops, go shopping, read, or catch a movie. If your life includes different realities and you don’t have anyone to watch your child, you may just have to reorganize a few things. Wake up an hour earlier to get your time in or stay up an hour later than usual because you need this for your own mental sanity.

Some people may not get it, but that’s okay. You are doing this for you and you alone. This is time just for you without anyone else: no hubby, no friends, no family, no one- just you. You need some inner peace, some quiet time away from all of the noise. You need to hear yourself think and reclaim you.

Like I did, you may have to turn off your phone because this is a huge distraction. Practically everyone is distracted by their phones nowadays because we are always on it and mommies know how to multitask. We are waiting in anticipation for that next phone call, are bombarded with text messages, checking our email messages, are on social media, watching YouTube clips, etc. We have to find ways to cut out distractions and do some activities we deem beneficial. You will feel more energized, refreshed, and happy to have such a balance in your life. You can do it, now find something to do and make yourself happy.

Here are a few steps to take that will assist you with establishing your personal time:

Step 1:

Hobby/Skill:

Figure out what you want to do.

Step 2:

Pencil Yourself In:

Dedicate a certain amount of time for this activity on a consistent basis and choose a day/weekend you will do this and add it to your calendar and to-do list.

*Make sure this works with the flow of your day.

Step 3:

Inform Your Family:

Let your family know that you will take time out for yourself and let them know the day/time. This will discourage anyone from disturbing you at that time.

Step 4:

Don’t Allow Distractions:

You must begin your personal time on the day and times you scheduled it for, just like you would with anything else. Do not become distracted with other activities- this is just as important as anything else.

Step 5:

Enjoy Your Personal Time.

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Celebrity Moms and Their Babies

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What are some of your best mommy/baby moments???

I Had to Grow with My Baby

My daughter is now 19 months and I have learned the hard way that I cannot stick to the same schedule I set for us when she was 1 years old. She has transformed tremendously in just a few months, I can’t even believe this is the same child. She is more independent than ever. She wants to do everything by herself. She won’t eat as much anymore unless she has the opportunity to use her fork or spoon by herself. Sometimes she doesn’t even want to use her fork or spoon, she wants to use the metal or “big people” fork and spoon. She loves to drink from her sippy cup because she doesn’t need any assistance. And annoyed, she will tell anyone, “DOP!!!” (her version of “STOP”) because she doesn’t feel like she needs your help.

For the most part, I had been staying on course with a old schedule I set in motion for her in her earlier months. However, now that she is older she is more fidgety and now that she not only knows how to walk, but now knows how to run, she will take off from you if you do not hold her interest. She has no problem telling you “bye bye” and waving with a huge grin on her face because she wants to do her own thing.

I had to reevaluate some things and grow with her. She loves to dance, so we have dance parties in the house where I crank up the radio or Pandora and we dance the time away. She loves to read, so I try to read to her every day, at least 5 books. I know her favorite book by heart and there is no need to read from it anymore, I tell her the lines word for word by memory. She loves her books so much that I once quoted a line from her book and she walked to her bookshelf, retrieved the book I was quoting from and handed it to me. I kid you not. She loves repeating the numbers and sight words that are on her flashcards. We take trips to the library and we visit family and friends. With the winter fast approaching and I will no longer be able to take her to the park, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I recently got a book from the library called, The Toddler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 1 ½ - to 3- Year- Old Busy by, Trish Kuffner. I can’t wait to dive into this book for some new and fun ideas for me and my little one. It’s going to be so much fun!

I am getting myself more organized and disciplined when it comes to dealing with my baby, take care of the home, having time for me and my hubby, time for my family and friends, and personal time because each aspect of my life is necessary and important. Being organized really helps and I have seen the benefits of having a meal plan and having everything on my “to do” list written out. It really helps to clear my mind and I don’t have to remember to remember something, which can be tedious. I don’t feel overwhelmed and I feel more in control when I have a plan and I set goals for me and my little one. I Got This!!!

Park Fun

I had so much fun with my daughter today at the park. She was giggling so hard on the swing I could see all 12 of her teeth. She constantly wanted me to push her faster-faster. With every push she would smile and laugh. I can’t even imagine the day when all of this will be over. I am doing all I can to take in each and every moment because it is true what they say, “Time goes by so fast.”. I remember when we first brought her home from the hospital. With each milestone achieved she is becoming more and more independent and soon she will not need us to do certain things for her anymore. I know she will always need her parents but it will be different. So I take in the little smiles, laughter, and run after her as we head towards the sliding board. Collecting each moment in preparation for the day when it will no longer be cool to play with your mom in the park. Until then I’m enjoying each and every minute.

What are some fun activities you do with your little one?