The Importance of Mommy Time

It can be hectic being a parent. Besides the normal stuff of working, keeping the house clean, laundry, etc., you add homework, school projects, and after school activities. Being the parent of a child with any kind of learning disability or special needs adds another layer of stuff, meetings with the school, therapists, doctor appointments, and more time to complete homework. Sometimes it can be difficult to take time for yourself. You get so busy taking care of everything and everyone else that you forget to take care of yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up in this trap, but it’s important to stop and remember that you can’t take care of anyone when you yourself are sick, run down, or burnt out.

You need to find something that you enjoy and make time for it. As much as I understand this, I have trouble implementing it. Back before I had kids I used to do a lot of art. Whether it was painting, or making crafts, I always had some kind of creative project in the works. After kids, I got busy and stopped doing them. For awhile I was scrapbooking, and I really enjoyed the creative aspect of that, but that too got pushed aside when life got hectic. I realize that when I don’t make time for myself, I get cranky and I don’t like being the frazzled cranky mom. So I’m making the effort to make time to do some of the things that I love and make me happy so I can be a better parent to my kids and a better wife to my husband.

Blogging is giving me an interesting outlet for expressing my creativity. It’s different to write and create something visually appealing in a digital media. My inability to do exactly what I want to the layout of my page is frustrating me though, and has inspired me to look into what kind of classes I could take to learn how to fully customize it myself. I’m also thinking about starting to paint again. It will be interesting to see how 2008 plays out, and what fun new things I will learn to do this year.