This one is for new mothers
By Amy
@artemis432 (7474)
Abernathy, Texas
September 7, 2007 8:04pm CST
When was the last time you went to the movies - or had your nails done or your hair - if you like that? I'm guilty of this - just because of finances and scheduling and the baby seeing me most of the time and crying the whole time I'm away - I haven't done too much.
However, I do know that is important to take time for ourselves to re-energize and have more to give to our families. Visiting a friend - taking a long bath - and the suggestion I'm always giving mylotters - getting a massage - to avoid stress on your pocket book, you can always go to a Massage Therapy School Clinic. After students are through with intensive training, they have to work in the clinic before graduation. If you have access to a school I highly recommend it. Once you find someone you like you can request them over and over - you can avoid stress to your pocket book this way as well - as the fee is a fraction of the cost of a normal massage - or go to a local health food stores and you can get a very cheap chair massage - and get to keep your clothes on!
Get a group to go to a hot springs resort - get a great group discount. When was the last time you took time for yourself or pampered yourself - I can't remember - but I count long showers!!!! What ideas do you have for taking time for mom? To reclaim yourself?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
8 Sep 07
My son is 15 months old already, and I still have only gone to one movie since he was born! Seriously, the last movie I saw in the theater was Pirates of the Carribean 2 (note I said 2, not 3!).
For me it's a matter of not having anyone to babysit my son. My husband and I were both victims of abuse as children, and therefore are both very paranoid about who we leave our child with. I work days, he works nights, and one of us is always with our son. So there just isn't ever time to do anything else. It doesn't help that I've been ill for three months, so since I'm not even working at the moment, I only go out to go to the doctor or pick up prescriptions and groceries.
We did go out to dinner on our anniversary, and left our son with one of our friends for a few hours. That was nice. But it's just not something we can do often, and I certainly can't go out by myself often! Taking long baths is one of the things I do for myself, but I'd love to be able to go to the movies or even go out and sit by the water and just relax. There's just no time or energy for it.
I guess mylot is really my "me" thing right now, because I can do it while watching Dustin. He likes to play on his own anyway sometimes, so he'll play in a safe place while I'm online and I'll keep an eye on him.
Other than that, my spiritual life is the only other thing I make sure to do.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
8 Sep 07
Mylot is my me thing too, especially when he's able to play quietly right beside me - right now he's terrorizing the cat - and she takes it because its attention.
The last movie I saw was Monster House when I was pregnant and I fell asleep pretty quickly I was soooooooo tired. My husband was a victim of abuse too as a child, a family member repeatedly tried to kill him, even as a baby - throwing him against a wall - so we are going to be extremely cautious as well, until finally, his mother took him away from the situation after the person finally succeeded in drowning him one day - luckily someone recussitated him.
Before that, she lied to the Base Doc telling him her child had siezures - which the doctors tested for and found no concrete evidence of. Anyway, another topic for another thread!
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
8 Sep 07
*nods* I didn't mean to get off topic, but that story sounds sadly all too familiar to me. =(
Anyway, it is hard to find time (and money) to do things for yourself. I do like your idea about massage schools... I wish there were one of those in my area.
I suppose watching anime on the computer is another big one for me actually, that's a "me" thing, but that's usually either while my son is playing or after he goes to bed. =)
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
8 Sep 07
My daughter is 16 months old now and I have had my hair cut exactly twice. The last movie I have been to was XMen 3 when she was still small enough to sleep through the whole movie. I don't get any free time because nobody can watch her for me. I just keep telling myself...she will only be a baby once!
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
8 Sep 07
I'm in the same boat, except for an acquantence on base that I rarely see, friends and family are far away. Everytime I mention that I can't wait 'till he's older people laugh or smile knowingly and say I'll change my mind. I haven't had my hair cut since before he was conceived and I'd procrastinated then. I was going to get my hair coloured with natural plant derivitives (nursing) as a 'birthday present' I chose or 'mother's day present' . But for my birthday - colic - the second - he was teething. Since he rarely sees his dad due to schedules it would've been have been too stressful to be away for the three hours it takes. I was so shocked it takes so long!
I want to see XMen three -at least on video - or dvd soon. Have fun!
@oddball123 (125)
• United States
8 Sep 07
Dont worry its not just new mothers. My youngest is 4 years old and I can count on one hand the times since he has been born that I have done anything to pamper myself in 4 years. My mother once told me that your life is no longer your own when you have a child. Now I know what she meant. With a husband that works offshore its hard to find anytime much less the money to do anything for myself. I try and find little ways to pamper. Sometimes when my husband is home I grab a soda and a good book and leave about a half hour early to go pick up one of the other kids from somewhere. It sounds silly but I just find a nice quiet parking lot or something and lay my seat back and read for awhile. Its a great stress releiver. If you figure anything else out loet me know. LOL
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
8 Sep 07
That's what my mom tells me - she says its the toughest job I'll ever have - and love. And it is and I do. My husband works nights and is too busy on the computer or gaming on the weekend to spend too much time with the baby Your stress reliever doesn't sound silly at all oddball, but quiet smart and likely pretty effective, like taking a power nap is for some. Just leaving early when you have to be somewhere is a stress reliever in itself - then there's no worry about being late and keeping others waiting.
