We have sifted through the many responses we received to our questions of the month. In case you have forgotten, the question was:
“We have all been told how critical it is to have chill time every day, but we just can’t seem to squeeze it in. If you’ve figured it out, tell us about it! How and when do you find time for yourself?”
All I can say is “Wow!” We received so many creative, thoughtful answers to this question, that it was truly difficult to pick a winner.
This one ended up being our favorite — mostly because of the last two sentences. It is something we all need to remember, especially when things get stressful around the house!
Ladies:
I have told my husband, my children, my sisters, and my girlfriends, that if you put it on the calander, it will happen. We remember baseball practice, singing lessons and play dates because we write them in. I do the same for lunch dates with the girls and dinner out with my husband. Also, if you do something at the same time all the time..ie. baseball practice on Monday at 6, lessons on Wednesday at 7:30….we are used to doing them…so if we schedule in time for us….we will get used to it… and so will our husbands and children. Start easy…Lock the bathroom door and get a bath night every week at the same time…work up to a night out with the girls and laugh till your sides hurt. My girlfriend Shirley and I use the analogy of the little yellow airbag in a plane. The flight attendant will tell you if you are traveling with children, YOU should take in the air first, then you will be able to better help others you are with….so if you can’t breathe at home….take in the “airbag” (a bath, night out, etc..) to refresh and you will be able to help those who need you. We are worth it.
Theresa Kuras
Congrats Theresa! You will receive a $50 gift certificate redeemable in our online store.
Here are some more answers we loved:
I too have four children within 7 years of each other but they are now ages 5 through 12.
For daily chill time I suggest – schedule it! Write it on your daily calendar for a specified time period. I (try to) take the last 30 minuets, from 2:15 to 2:45 pm, before I do the run around town shuffle to pick up kids at different schools and take them to their different activities to sit and have a cup of tea or a chilled diet coke. I put my feet up and think, read, even jot things in my organizer but relax and be in the moment to clear my brain so I can be in the moment (mayhem?) with my kids as I pick them up. If it is not a school day for my 5 year old I find something quiet for him to do during this time in his room like a puzzle or coloring.
For a monthly chill time I suggest – Girls Night Out! We got together a group of about 10 -12 ladies, some with kids, some without, and we each take a month and plan a weeknight outing. We have done pottery painting, cocktails on someone’s deck, dinner out, movies, early Christmas shopping, October fests, you name it! The “organizer” for that month emails everyone EARLY so we can all get it on our calendars and our husbands all know it is our sanity break and are supportive. I highly recommend it!
Lori Barbe
Prescott, AZ
Scheduling time for myself always seemed impossible
until I bought my momAgenda. Last year when I bought
my momAgenda I had noticed that half of the weekly
page was devoted to “my week”. It made me think about
how busy I was, but also, I realized, how much I
needed that space to “schedule” time for myself. Now,
anytime I set aside time for myself I don’t feel
guilty because I am so organized, I have ample time to
prepare (and to prepare my family) for my time away or
even for “date nights” with my honey!!!
Sincerely,
Dawn Stomberg
Thanks again to everyone, and look for our newsletter in February for a new contest!
Nina