I know you've had those days when you wake up and you just don't want to do it.
You don't want to make your kids 100 snacks each. You don't want to watch the same Daniel Tiger episode again for the millionth time. You don't want to play doctor or make Barbie have little conversations over and over again.
I know you've had those days because I have, too.
I've been a stay at home mom now for 4 short years, even though it's felt like forever. There are days when I get excited to make the projects, play the play-doh, imagine new games and really engage with my kids in fun ways. {And these moments I will forever cherish! I mean, I do actually love my kids. As in, my heart swells so big every day that I think it may burst, kind of love!}
Then there are days when I'm not. My mind wishes that I could just have a day to do what I want to do, to work on my business, to watch my favorite shows, to pee by myself for goodness sake!
Those are the days when being a mom is hard. Motherhood is tough! It can be isolating, demanding, exhausting, and sacrificial. There are no breaks, no PTO, and for sure no sick days. Yes there are babysitters and grandmas to pitch in, but the stress of motherhood is always weighing on you because there are little ones depending on you. Every. Single. Day.
During this short time as a mom, I've learned 3 important ways to pick myself up, refocus and actually learn a thing or two about who I am as a person and what actually matters in life.
The 3 Things You Must Do to Move Past the "I-Don't-Want-to-Mom" Days:
1) Gain Perspective. These little kids are growing up, sometimes not fast enough, and yet too fast at the same time. Staying home with my kids will only last another 4ish years before they're both off to school and I will have the day to myself (believe me, I dream about this day!). So take a breath, it's only a phase, and soon this phase will end just like every other phase has ended. Before you know it you'll be wishing for more pretend doctor check-ups and coloring dates.
2) Look at Your Value. It's all about mindset! I used to really thrive on giving myself the title of 'Manager of the House' because I love to get stuff done, manage our finances, make sure the house is tidy and make sure the kids are well-fed and clean. But in all of that managing, I was missing out on the nurturing. The moments of teaching, the moments I can encourage these littles, the value I bring to their little lives, and the way that my own attitude affects their attitude. Who I am when they are young is who they'll remember long after they move out. I need to remind myself of the mom I want to be and how I can bring value into these dear little ones' lives for the long-term. Doing this means I have to stop scrolling on social media, I have to stop comparing my lame life with the exciting lives of my Facebook friends, and just stop to be present in the moment.
3) Schedule Time for What You Want to Do. Obviously my heart and passion is for helping other mamas gain health, energy and confidence with healthy eating. And if I could, I would spend all of my time on this. But since that's unrealistic, I have learned to schedule my life a little better so that I don't completely sacrifice my passions and my calling. I have set out to make my kids' awake time my time to focus and enjoy them. But when they are napping or after they go to bed it is my time to take care of me and think about other things. I listen to podcasts, take lava-like baths, watch Netflix, hang out with the Mr., walk around Target, or just go to bed early! These are my Mommy Time-Outs and I've got a whole list of my favorite things to do for me, myself and I.
I know waking up on those hard days when you just don't want to be a mom isn't easy. It happens to the best of us, myself included.
Remember that you're the perfect mom for the kids you have. You are doing your best which is exactly what they need. No one is perfect, no not one! Refocusing and finding your value are just some of the ways to keep on keeping on.
Let me know how you get through these kind of days. What helps you refocus? What are your favorite Mommy Time-Outs? Comment here on this page or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Let's support each other!