A Quick Fix for the Mommy Blues

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UntitledAs Mothers we find ourselves juggling multiple hats: from working a 40 hours a week job outside of the home, raising kids, helping the kids out with homework, cooking, cleaning, laundry, being the Taxi driver to all the after school activities, and more. The one thing we always forget to do is take a deep breath and take care of ourselves and that’s how the ‘Mommy Blues’ set in and throws a wrench into our day. You know the feeling when it comes; you start to feel overworked, unappreciated at home, emotional, stressed and that too familiar overwhelming feeling like there just isn’t enough time in the day to complete everything that needs to be done that day. And when the ‘Mommy Blues’ hits, your cup runs over and there is no coming back. All you can do is just let the feelings run its course.

We all need a friend to vent to, a person who never judges and fully understands. But what about the times when the ‘Mommy Blues’ hits and it’s too late to call that friend or they are not available at that time?

As a mother of six kids, I have discovered that the one thing that helps me after a quick cry (and yes it is okay to have a good cry, it cleanses the soul) and a moment of woe-is-me syndrome, is to brush off the negative emotions with some much needed me time. Once everyone is fed and down for the evening (you may have to make bedtime earlier that night), I first take a much needed bubble bath then put on my favorite pajamas. Next I get out the foot fixer and give myself a much needed pedicure while watching one of my favorite TV shows (love DVR!) or a good comedy flick for a much needed laugh. After my pedicure, I will pull out my favorite nail polish color and paint my nails. With a snack ready and a favorite beverage (usually an ice cold glass of Coca-Cola because pop relaxes me), I am now relaxed and feeling like myself again.

This cure works for several days even a week sometimes. I find myself with an extra pep in my step especially when I look down at my well-polished hands and feet. This “me time”  doesn’t have to be when the kids are asleep. As long as everyone is off doing their thing in the house (watching TV, reading, playing video games and etc.), I will put my ear buds in and go sit in my lounge chair/prop my feet up on the ottoman and turn my music on and just allow myself to be me for maybe about an hour. It’s funny sometimes because while I am doing this I can sometimes hear some of kids looking for me (Mom is always needed for something). I just take a quick break from me time and see what’s going on. The kids even come in the room and sit with me sometimes. They bring their devices and sit down and do their thing. I guess they sometimes need to be by me but that’s okay too because in a way, even though we are spending time together it’s quiet time.

The only real cure for the ‘Mommy Blues’ is remembering to treat yourself and take care of you no matter how busy things get, and I know it’s easier said than done. As Mothers we always take care of everyone else but tend to forget about ourselves. You can treat yourself to a day at the spa, a night out with the girls or even go to the movies by yourself or just do a spa treatment at home like I do.

The key thing is that you love you. Rejuvenating yourself by relaxing and doing something fun only helps make you a better mother. If Mommy is broken the entire ship breaks down so remember to keep the ‘Mommy Blues’ away with a simple hour or more of me time. As the old saying goes stop and smell the roses.

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