Actually, the title should say "Much Needed Mommy Me Time."
Once we become mothers, our identity as an individual woman is lost. Birth is greater than bringing a new life to the world, as huge as that is. Birth also ushers in our motherhood, full force. We agree to be responsible for growing a body and nurturing a soul and may consent to continue to nurture said being for the rest of our living days. So here I am, in the thick of "nurturing" and realizing that I need to take care of myself so I can better care for those who depend upon me (a recurring theme, I know).
Part of my care includes recognizing myself as a woman. My needs are not only the needs of the family. To keep my life in perspective, I have to carefully evaluate what I need to feel like I'm fully living my purpose. Not everyone feels this way, and it's important to know what your personal needs are.
A friend of mine and I are doing a baby-sitting swap. For frugal mothers (whether of desire or necessity) who seek their alone time, this is solid gold. It's giving and receiving. Today I got to go to the library and browse in the upstairs section. It doesn't matter that we were at the library yesterday. I can't remember when last I checked a book out for myself. After the library, I went to a local bookstore. It was time to buy an '09 calendar, and they had some beautiful ones. Not every time for me includes an expense, but it is a reward to myself for all the work I put into this family-rearing that justifies my purchases when I make them. (Hope you agree, dear.) ;)
Now this evening we enjoy our church's meal before the service (trans: "I don't have to cook"). After the short, kid-friendly/chaotic service, I facilitate a women's spirituality circle. The church provides a nursery.
I know it doesn't always take a village to raise a child, but I'm a firm believer that it helps greatly. If nothing else, it makes for better mothers.
Once we become mothers, our identity as an individual woman is lost. Birth is greater than bringing a new life to the world, as huge as that is. Birth also ushers in our motherhood, full force. We agree to be responsible for growing a body and nurturing a soul and may consent to continue to nurture said being for the rest of our living days. So here I am, in the thick of "nurturing" and realizing that I need to take care of myself so I can better care for those who depend upon me (a recurring theme, I know).
Part of my care includes recognizing myself as a woman. My needs are not only the needs of the family. To keep my life in perspective, I have to carefully evaluate what I need to feel like I'm fully living my purpose. Not everyone feels this way, and it's important to know what your personal needs are.
A friend of mine and I are doing a baby-sitting swap. For frugal mothers (whether of desire or necessity) who seek their alone time, this is solid gold. It's giving and receiving. Today I got to go to the library and browse in the upstairs section. It doesn't matter that we were at the library yesterday. I can't remember when last I checked a book out for myself. After the library, I went to a local bookstore. It was time to buy an '09 calendar, and they had some beautiful ones. Not every time for me includes an expense, but it is a reward to myself for all the work I put into this family-rearing that justifies my purchases when I make them. (Hope you agree, dear.) ;)
Now this evening we enjoy our church's meal before the service (trans: "I don't have to cook"). After the short, kid-friendly/chaotic service, I facilitate a women's spirituality circle. The church provides a nursery.
I know it doesn't always take a village to raise a child, but I'm a firm believer that it helps greatly. If nothing else, it makes for better mothers.
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