Before we had children, the plan was always for me to stay home. I adore staying home with my children, and I am beyond grateful this is a possibility for our family.
But I have a bedtime alarm on my phone and a part of me rejoices every evening when it goes off. Getting the kids to bed (and asleep – the hardest battle) feels like I made it to the finish line. We survived! I kept them alive and fed and maybe in between, they learned a thing or two.
Mental and Physical Load of Motherhood
While I knew being a mom is a 24/7 gig, I wasn’t prepared for the mental and physical load. With three littles at home, my brain never gets a break. Beyond the never-ending to-do list, there is always someone or something to take care of or worry about. Physically, there is rarely a moment that I’m not being touched. Breastfeeding, carrying babies around, comforting them when hurt or sad, tickling, cuddling, or even lying next to me in bed at night. My body often feels like it is not my own.
I love these days of being constantly needed by my babies and being their entire world, but it is undeniably draining. Therefore, we stick to a strict bedtime in our household. Once the kids are asleep, I find myself doing anything from walking on the treadmill to lying in bed in silence. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I honestly just need a mental and physical break from mom life.
Take a Break
In reality, though, I counted down the hours to bedtime only to find myself scrolling through photos of the kids, telling my husband funny stories from the day, or preparing things for the next day.
I know as moms we put a lot of pressure on ourselves, and we rarely get a break. I’m here to say that if you sit on your phone for two hours at night or go to bed immediately after your children, or you stay up binging shows, there is no wrong way to take time for yourself. Even if it’s short-lived, take the time for yourself guilt free. Put the to-do list aside. Take a true break. You will be better for yourself and your family.
