Juggling a full-time job as well as having a family is no easy task.
Between meeting deadlines and hurrying home to cook dinner, it's no wonder that we, mothers often forget to wind down.
We take care of everyone else but ourselves.
I used to feel guilty just by having a thought in my head about getting a peaceful, uninterrupted coffee break with a good read in my hands.
But really, we shouldn't feel guilty.
Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, taking care of yourself is VERY important.
A satisfied and an unfrazzled mom makes for a happy and calm family.
Taking a break does NOT mean that you are neglecting your responsibilities as a mom.
You need to take care of your needs because when you're happy, it shows.
It makes the people around you happy as well.
What makes me happy?
To wind down, I...
1) Walk the mom
I love walking. I can walk for hours. All I need is my MP3 player, my Skechers and I'm good to go.
2) Blogi Mom
Sharing my experiences with other moms reminds me that I am not the only who feels like tearing my hair out - 75% of the time.
3) Bookworm
Nothing beats turning the pages of a good book till the very last page.
So what do you do to wind down?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Love what you see in the mirror
Motherhood is a destination that most woman (secretly) hope to achieve.
I am one of those lucky ones who has been granted an opportunity to experience pregnancy (love that I can eat EVERYTHING), labour (it's menstrual cramps multiplied by a hundred) and being a mum (90% - joy, 10% - moments when I could tear my hair out).
But it should come with a warning -
I love BamBim to bits but it's often clouded by how much I hate looking at myself in the mirror.
So how do you teach self-love to your offspring when you can't even stand the sight of yourself in your birthday suit?
How will I explain to BamBim that before you love others, you've got to love yourself first?
Here's how.
1) Be Thankful
As Muslims, we have a short prayer that we recite the moment we wake up. We thank The Almighty for giving us another chance to live and to always remember HIM.
Say a little prayer and appreciate that you have been granted a chance to experience another beautiful day and believe that it will be a great day - come what may.
2) It Could Be Worse
It's tempting NOT to look at others who have such desirable bodies. But why torture yourselves when you're just going to end up being more depressed?
Turn your focus to those who are worse off than you. But not to mock at them but rather to appreciate what you have and as a reminder that it could be worse.
3) Dress Up
Even if you hate your reflection, so what?
Dress up!
Putting in more effort before going out (even if it's just to the supermarket 2 blocks away), does wonders to lift your confidence.
4) Exercise
In the words of Elle Woods,
I am one of those lucky ones who has been granted an opportunity to experience pregnancy (love that I can eat EVERYTHING), labour (it's menstrual cramps multiplied by a hundred) and being a mum (90% - joy, 10% - moments when I could tear my hair out).
But it should come with a warning -
Pregnancy WEIGHT GAIN is a reality.
I love BamBim to bits but it's often clouded by how much I hate looking at myself in the mirror.
So how do you teach self-love to your offspring when you can't even stand the sight of yourself in your birthday suit?
How will I explain to BamBim that before you love others, you've got to love yourself first?
Here's how.
1) Be Thankful
As Muslims, we have a short prayer that we recite the moment we wake up. We thank The Almighty for giving us another chance to live and to always remember HIM.
Say a little prayer and appreciate that you have been granted a chance to experience another beautiful day and believe that it will be a great day - come what may.
2) It Could Be Worse
It's tempting NOT to look at others who have such desirable bodies. But why torture yourselves when you're just going to end up being more depressed?
Turn your focus to those who are worse off than you. But not to mock at them but rather to appreciate what you have and as a reminder that it could be worse.
3) Dress Up
Even if you hate your reflection, so what?
Dress up!
Putting in more effort before going out (even if it's just to the supermarket 2 blocks away), does wonders to lift your confidence.
4) Exercise
In the words of Elle Woods,
"Exercise give you endorphins and endorphins make you happy."
Need I say more?
Saying is easier than done - no doubt.
Above is a mental checklist each time I feel like smashing my full-length mirror.
Do share if you have other believe-in-yourself tips.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
First day of school
I used to laugh at mothers who would get emotional on their children's first day of school.
I would joke about it even.
But now the joke's on me!
I had tears in eyes on the first day DaHubster and I sent Fayrah to childcare.
My "maternal protective instinct" (Is there such a word?) kicked in instanteneously.
I'm not sure if most mums would feel the same way but at that point of time, I felt helpless.
Mainly because at the back of my mind, I know that I can't keep her under my wing forever.
What if she gets bullied in school?
What if nobody wants to be her friend?
What if the other children were nasty to her?
What if..?
What if...?
What if...?
I started to ask a lot of what if questions which was obviously not helpful in such an emotional situation.
They just made me more upset than ever.
So the first two days DaHubster and I stayed for about an hour before we sneaked out.
On the third day, we decided that it was best to "send and go".
That was just what we did.
When we reached the centre, we said our goodbyes to her and off we went.
Fayrah obviously was not happy.
And she expressed it through her loud cries.
It was so heart-wrenching for us - me especially.
At that moment, I wondered if she would hate me for sending her to the centre.
Though difficult, I know that doing so will (hopefully) mean that she will be to adapt quicker to being in the childcare centre.
I wonder if all parents experience the same emotions.
I would joke about it even.
But now the joke's on me!
I had tears in eyes on the first day DaHubster and I sent Fayrah to childcare.
My "maternal protective instinct" (Is there such a word?) kicked in instanteneously.
I'm not sure if most mums would feel the same way but at that point of time, I felt helpless.
Mainly because at the back of my mind, I know that I can't keep her under my wing forever.
What if she gets bullied in school?
What if nobody wants to be her friend?
What if the other children were nasty to her?
What if..?
What if...?
What if...?
I started to ask a lot of what if questions which was obviously not helpful in such an emotional situation.
They just made me more upset than ever.
So the first two days DaHubster and I stayed for about an hour before we sneaked out.
On the third day, we decided that it was best to "send and go".
That was just what we did.
When we reached the centre, we said our goodbyes to her and off we went.
Fayrah obviously was not happy.
And she expressed it through her loud cries.
It was so heart-wrenching for us - me especially.
At that moment, I wondered if she would hate me for sending her to the centre.
Though difficult, I know that doing so will (hopefully) mean that she will be to adapt quicker to being in the childcare centre.
I wonder if all parents experience the same emotions.
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