As part of the Know Your OTCs program this month, we are talking about self-care. As moms, so often we spend most of our days focusing on everyone else and it can be easy to forget to take care of ourselves as well. Sometimes it feels like another job. Why do I have to take care of everyone else and take care of me? It can be overwhelming, so we tend to fall to the bottom of the list. For example, I had to reschedule my last dentist appointment because one of my kids got sick. Then I had to cancel the rescheduled appointment because I caught the stomach bug from my kids. I told the dentist I would call back later and reschedule again. Every day I think at least once during school drop-off or while grocery shopping “I really need to do that,” and then promptly forget again until around 11pm, when I kick myself for letting another day go by without making my new appointment. I know I’m not the only mom who does this.
But we do need to take time to take care of ourselves. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson of Seattle Mama Doc and Seattle Children’s Hospital, is one of the KYOTCs bloggers, and she has a great video about self-care. Check out Dr. Swanson’s video here.
I also asked my friends what they do to take care of themselves, and I loved their responses!
How other moms take care of themselves:
“I recently started running, an exercise I’ve always disliked, but now am beginning to love. I think it’s because I’m alone, and because I can listen to whatever music I want, even if it has lyrics my kids aren’t allowed to hear. I also love reading books in the bathtub.”– Amy of Funny is Family
“When my schedule is too full, I say “no” (or try to) to new commitments.” -Ellen of Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms
“I take a walk every day all.by.myself.” -Kerry of HouseTalkN
“I prioritize a walk every morning with my mom; it gets us both out of the house when we’d normally just stay indoors all day, and gives us a chance to chat without any interruptions.” –Robyn of Hollow Tree Ventures
“I always sit down in the afternoon with a cup of tea. If I don’t just take a moment and recharge, I’m miserable and make those miserable around me for the rest of the day!” -Rebecca of Frugalista Blog
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