What have you done for YOURSELF lately?? support - Page 2

[pixiemama]

I read, blog, go to the hair salon regularily (fun girly bonding time) and last night, I gave myself the fastest pedicure ever! :LOL I will also be taking a college course or two come fall. I already applied for school. :-D

[Deepa]

I am so worried that being a SAHM has made me take things too easily and lazy too. I rarely get any time for myself and when I do, I just waste it. I am very interested in finding out what everyone else does and this is certainly a nice thread. I might find a project or two!!!

[FireWithin]

I made myself a deadline to update my resume and put some sign language curriculum on hold at the library. I haven't done either. shame on me.

I found myself giving myself excuses. Really how much money to they pay Gymboree employees? and will that be enough to compensate for the required babysitting?

Part of my reluctance with money (is it worth it) and part is inertia. How much do I really want to be doing this anyway?

I feel a lot of pressure to remain at least somewhat active in my career.

I need to think about all of this for a couple of days.

[annarosa]

sport is what has kept me going since becoming a SAHM - I've even taken up some new ones - I learned to ride one evening a week when my dd was 18 months old now I've started tennis lessons - it's great for releasing tension and concentrating on not falling off a horse is a great way to forget everything and everyone else for an hour or so !

[Sharlla]

Sat night we left the kids with my MIL and went to a costume party, that was a lot of fun.

[nmm2112]

What a great thread! You ladies are inspiring me to get moving! I haven't done much of anything for myself lately but I sure need too! Well, I take that back - I went online shopping and bought a pound of red raspberry leaf tea! I love tea - now I just need to sit and read while I sip! And preferrably read something not child-related! (for once!)

[hu*singing*mom]

I like the idea of this thread because doing things for myself is something I never feel satisfied with. Every morning I get up early to have about 30 minutes to myself for spiritual contemplation. I also read a lot squeezing it in whenever I can. It takes such a huge portion of the "pie" of time to homeschool, play with & care for my kids, care for our home, be thrifty... that I'm never satisfied with the thin little portion for myself. However I am striving to reach a new attitude about my life: I want to feel like Emma in Plain and Simple by Sue Bender :" The knowledge that her role in the family was necessary for its well-being permeated her life. Her work was valued, she was valued. I never saw Emma or another Amish woman look or say they were bored or lonesome. She wasn't sacrificing herself for the sake of her family. Making a commitment to marriage and family were seen as a worthy pursuit. All her duties were an expression of her love for her family and for God." I want time for myself but I also want the time I spend doing for others to be an extension of that same feeling; I want to feel that caring for my family with a loving heart IS for me. I'm not there yet but striving!

[fire_lady]

When I was more than 2mos sahm.
I do daily exercises, sing and dance with ds and when DH is at home I did a long bubble bath.

[Ashleigh]

Lately I have been giong to the library without DS (he visits with gma while I go) once a week and getting a ton of books to read while he's sleeping. I LOVE reading, but rarely have time anymore, so this is nice!

[zinemama]

While dh took the kids to a birthday party, I spent Saturday afternoon at the copyshop, copying issue #14 of my zine, and then I came home and collated and stapled and mailed it off to subscribers. This kind of "office work" would not have been high on my fun list pre-kids, but being alone and doing it in the service of my own creative work was a real treat.

[mama2monkeys]

It is so hard somedays to anything for yourself... I try to have alittle me time when ever i possibly can. I love to soak in my huge tub with lots of bubbles & my candles... I go every 2 weeks to get my nails done & my feet done. That is great for me.. so relaxing & my dh knows i work hard all day long 24/7---365 and he never gives me an issue. I try to meet up with a girlfriend or 2 a few times a month. Sometimes dh keeps all 3 kids & other times i take only 1. I try to exercise on really good days & when i can i stay in my shower as long as i can. I have 2 built in seats in my shower & i will sit down, relax & just make the water nice & hot & just sit their.. I clsoe my eyes or i even stair off in to nowhere.. until the knocks on the door & the MOMMY start...

[BusyMommy]

Oh what an awesome thread!

I traded kids w/my neighbor this am and went to an AWESOME aerobics class and then a long steam room!

ANd now...hmmmm...I just poured a glass of wine to enjoy while I help the kids play Thomas the Tank Engine.

[royaloakmi]

I get a sitter twice a week to go to yoga. Personally, I crave time by myself more than social time with friends.

I used to practice 4 times a week b/4 kids, but twice a week is still great. I would love to be able to practice at home again (instead of paying for a class and a sitter), but there is no chunk of time available. I'm hoping they'll eventually stop nursing and I can start going to early AM classes before they wake up in the morning - that might be a couple of years.

[LuvMyBabos]

I recently completed my first triathlon. The training is time-consuming but it's been worth it. Not only do I get something for myself but it sets a good example for the kids. And, I love seeing ds running around the house practicing for his triathlon (just pretending). DH even did it w/me and that was a bonus - it's been nice to have something just for us. We're looking forward to doing more!

[ceilydhmama]

I try to get to the gym for yoga 2x per week. I make sure I get some sort of time to write each week. And two nights ago I went out for a writers association meeting - which was wonderful. An entire room, filled with big people!

[Sarah'sMama]

this is a great thread....

When my first dd was born, I totally lost myself for awhile. It wasn't until she was around 15 mos. old or so that I realized, "hey, where did I go?" It was then that I asked a friend and my SIL to go out for dinner once a week or so. We usually get together every other week lately, but its nice. I get to sit and eat without being interrupted a million times, have a drink, and gossip/chat with my friends.

Also, I try to get my hair cut every few months, maybe with some hi-lights put in it. I always feel better about myself with a new haircut.

Lately, I've been trying to get up early in the morning and squeeze in a workout. In our basement, we have a bike and elliptical, so I'll try to get a workout in, and watch the morning news, which I love. The time goes quickly, and I forget I'm even exercising(which is good, because I don't really like to exercise )

Last weekend a friend of mine called me up inviting me to go outlet shopping with her on Sunday. I asked dh, and he gave me the go-ahead to go. I left at 930am and didn't get home until 530pm. I felt awesome. So rejuvinated and refreshed.

I have to add, that while sometimes I feel a bit guilty for needing "me" time, I remind myself that if I'm properly nourished as a human, I can offer more to my children. My husband is awesome, in that anytime I tell him I need some free time, he doesn't bat an eye. So that helps, too, his support. He plays soccer on a league on Friday nights, so that's his outlet, too.