Making time for me

Backpacks, books and regular bedtimes> Yup! It's that time. Back to school we go! Some of us are sad to see summer break end while some of us are praising God that school is back in session. I always think of this time as the storm before the calm before the storm. You see, we rush around to prepare for the new school year, that begins next week, even though we have had an entire summer to do so. The first day of school is easy. Everyone is up on time, without complaint. The whole morning is full of the excitement of new teachers, new sneakers & friends who the kids have not seen all summer. Then, after that first week is under our belts and we are back on our regular routines, I get a little break. No kids. Grocery shopping alone. Heck.. Just peeing alone. Then, every fundraiser, school and sport activity come with a vengence! So, I try very hard to make some time just for me. Time to prepare physically and mentally for the task ahead, time to step away from the day to day parenting struggle, time to just be. I don't think we do this enough. That parenting guilt will get you. Any of this sound familiar? I could treat myself to a pedicure but little Tommy needs sneakers. I could go to dinner with friends and share laughs and a bottle (or two) of wine but little Sally still needs braces. It would be so nice to get away with my husband for a few days but we promised the kids a day trip to that dreaded water park with half the county's population in attendance where we will spend half the kids college fund on over priced snacks and cool drinks. We put ourselves on the back burner but we burn RED HOT all day, every day. We sleep when baby sleeps, wash our faces in the kids bath water before dragging ourselves to bed 3 hours after the kids have gone down only to wake 2 hours before them to try to accomplish something. Anything! Then we ask ourselves... Why am I so tired? Sometimes we just have to let loose. Do something alone or with a group of friends. Just do something that doesn't involve potty stops or a diaper bag. This weekend is our last weekend before school starts. So, I knew I needed to refill my mommy tank. I have a lovely & talented friend, Julie who runs a small art studio above her garage. A group of us get together, drink wine, laugh & attempt to paint under Julie's wonderful instruction.

I leave with a piece of art that I will take home and lovingly hang in my hallway as a reminder of the laughter I shared with friends without any interruption from my children. Even though our guests think it's one of the children's paintings that we hang out of parent obligation, I consider these paintings a true work of art. They represent a piece of me. A memory made. A moment I took just for me. All that healing laughter makes me a better mom & a better wife. So, throw out the guilt. Stop running a million miles an hour without a breather. No one is perfect. No one does it all, all the time. Don't compare yourself to that 'perfect mom' in your child's music class or push to be the top volunteer. Let it go! Take the day off. The laundry can wait for tomorrow. No family ever died because you went out & left pizza money on the counter! Show your children that everyone needs alone time. That you don't always have it together. That you choose to do things that bring you joy. That's what we want for our kids. Isn't it? Happiness, personal growth & confidence.

(Artwork by Julie Tucker, that I desperately tried to mimic) Well, be the example. Take care of you! Make time just for you. Even if it is only once in a while. I am sure we all need more of those moments but for now, the painting in the hall reminds me how blessed I am. Find your work of art & showcase it proudly! Thank you, God for my Life At The Ward Zoo