Blog: Moms, Take Care of Yourself All Year Long, Not Just on Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is this weekend and it’s a great time to honor all mothers – whether they work, stay home, homeschool or send their kids to school. Our kids will be making us pancakes or giving us hand-made gifts, taking a moment to thank us. Then it’s back to regularly scheduled family life, with moms typically taking on the organizational role as well as many other tasks. It’s nice to be treated once a year by our families, but it’s vitally important that we take care of ourselves throughout the year.

Self-care is important because our health and well-being often set the tone for the family. When we are tired and stressed out, our kids pick up on that and everyone becomes crabbier. However, when we’ve taken care of ourselves, we are calmer and better able to care for our children. I also want my kids to see me enjoying life and having fun – obviously I enjoy their company and have fun with them, but I also enjoy activities that don’t include them. I want to model a healthy lifestyle for my kids because they learn a lot more by watching my behavior than listening to my lectures.

Earlier this month I went to Napa Valley with my cousins for a few days. I left the kids at home and had a decidedly grown-up time. We enjoyed beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery and delicious wines. Of course I missed my husband and kids, but the trip was a much needed respite in my busy schedule. I came home re-energized and ready to tackle the last few weeks of the school year.

While weekends away are great, they aren’t always an option, and they’re certainly not the only way to take care of ourselves. Here are a few other ideas:

Exercise: I think this is one of the most important ways we care for ourselves. We all know exercise helps keep us disease-free, is a great stress reliever, and boosts our energy level (need more reasons to exercise? Check out: Mayo Clinic). Woodinville has a lot of options for exercise, from the privacy of your own home, to biking on the Sammamish River Trail, to classes at the Y at Carol Edwards Center. If your kids are little, put them in the stroller and go for a run. If they are older, go on bike rides together. If you haven’t found a form of exercise you love, keep looking – there is something for everyone.

Enjoy a hobby: Maybe you love to knit, or you’re an avid pianist. Perhaps scrapbooking is your thing, or you’re happiest in your garden. It’s easy to push our hobbies aside when we have mile-long to-do lists, but make time to do whatever brings you joy. Hobbies remind us that we aren’t just moms. If your kids are young and still napping or having quiet time, I suggest using at least part of that time to enjoy your hobby, instead of just catching up on chores. Now that my kids are older, we’ll often sit side-by-side and each enjoy our own book.

Sleep: Get enough! Tired people are more prone to illness and they are irritable. I know the impulse to accomplish “just one more thing,” after the kids have gone to bed can be strong, but that easily goes from paying a couple of bills, to straightening the family room, and folding the laundry and before you know it, it’s midnight. The irony is we’re a lot less productive when we are tired. Likewise, unwinding in front of the TV might feel good, until you realize you’re watching the late, late night show, and the kids will be up in a few hours.

Get together with friends: Studies have shown that friendships contribute to our health. Whether you are laughing, crying or venting, sharing with friends is one of the joys of life. For those of us home full-time with our kids, adult conversation really is a wonderful treat and spending time with a friend can help us feel less isolated, especially when our kids are very young. I frequently exercise with friends, enjoying two of my favorite activities at the same time. I’m also a member of a book club, which is a great way to combine my love of reading with spending time with friends.

Pamper yourself: Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure or a massage once in a while. Get a hair cut at a fancy salon. Letting someone else take care of you on occasion feels like the ultimate in indulgence when we are so used to taking care of everyone else. 

Spend time with your husband or partner: You remember him, don’t you? Get a babysitter and go to a movie. Or trade child care with another couple and enjoy a walk or go wine-tasting in the tourist district. Sharing new things together, whether it’s discovering a new restaurant, art gallery or musician is a great way to keep things fresh. Talk about the kids, sure, but don’t forget to talk about your dreams and hopes as well.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!