All Moms Need a Break Sometimes

This picture made me feel better.  Moms the entire world over need breaks sometimes.  We give so much and often so little is put back into us.

I've come to realize that I am the kind of person who truly does need more down time than others.  I am not the kind of woman who can cheerfully give give give give and give some more, falling into bed exhausted and content.  I'm an introvert and I'm easily over stimulated and I'm still recovering from having my 4th baby, 7th pregnancy in 7 years.  My hormones are still trying to shuffle themselves back into proper order.  Add to that the outside stimuli and circumstances I cannot control and "mommy needs some time to herself" comes more quickly than it used to.

I felt badly about this.  How was I able to do so much and be so cheerful before?  My house stayed clean.  I kept up the yard and garden.  I could experiment in the kitchen.  Little things didn't drive me bonkers.  I could find the time to go for walks.  I always managed to shower and do my hair and make-up.  Now, I feel like the days just fly by in one big blur of insanity.  Chores are rarely completed - often half-completed.  I had to sleep on the couch last night because the bed was piled in laundry I didn't find time to get folded yesterday.  It seems the more I need to get something taken care of, the more suddenly falls into my lap!

When I seek counsel or assistance, I get met with knowing smiles and, "welcome to motherhood" from well-meaning women.  If this is true that I'm in a season of "hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride," then I've decided to stop apologizing to myself and buying into the lie that I'm not good enough and I'm going to take those breaks.  I may need more breaks than other women, and for that I won't apologize.

Today, I'm claiming a prize I won at a local salon!  Tomorrow, chiropractor.  And I am honestly considering a hotel stay in the near future, even if it is just me and the baby!  It's probably cheaper than therapy!