Mommies Need a Break

Every mom turns from the nice, loving mother to a tired mom every once in a while. Whether it is the kids or the chores or your job that are wearing you out, or a combination of more than one of these, you will need a break from time to time. You will have those moments where you feel like you just can’t go on and where you maybe even wish that you hadn’t taken on some of the responsibilities that you have assumed. 

Instead of transforming into something you are ashamed of or feeling the overwhelming pressure that comes with being exhausted with a lot of work left to do, try these tips to get a little breather every now and then. 

Skip the Chores

Housework is important, but it isn’t always essential. There are times when you just have to let it go, and you may not need to do that cleaning behind the stove right now or scrub out the shower this weekend. You have to recognize when you are too tired and when you need to just chill instead of pushing yourself harder. 

Pass off the Chores

Sometimes the chores absolutely have to be done. Someone has to take out the garbage and do the dishes, or you are going to have a bug-ridden house that doesn’t smell very nice. You can either get your kids to do some of the work or ask your significant other. “You could also opt for a cleaning service, which can do a multitude of household chores for you and take the workload off of your entire family for a while” - Savannah who recently wrote an article on why homeowners neglect house cleaning. 

You don’t have to feel like you need to do everything yourself. It’s okay to trust the work to someone else every so often. It may not be something you want to make a regular habit in your life, but you can at least give yourself a break and just to be happy with whatever the cleaning service, your kids or your SO do as far as household chores. They may not do the work to the same level of excellence that you would, but they can probably do a decent job that gets you by for a while longer. 

 

Vacation or Staycation

You may need more than a few hours or even a day off from your duties as a busy mother. It’s okay to take a little vacation every once in a while. This can be a simple outing with the family to the park or it can be a weekend getaway. You can go somewhere close by so that you don’t have to do a lot of travelling or spend a lot of money. You could also opt for a staycation, which is exactly what it sounds like. You simply vegetate at home and take some time off from all your duties. You can have the significant other take the kids for a while or send them to a family member’s house or even hire a baby sitter. 

If you worry about your kids being left with someone else for a while and being deprived of mommy time, then you are probably a good mother who watches out for her children. You don’t have to worry that they are not getting enough time with you, and you can reunite with them after your mini vacation. It’s important for you to get some rest and have a break every now and then to deal with the stress and to ensure that you don’t lose your temper or grow exasperated with the kids. 

Let Your Kids Know

We have probably all had those moments where we are just completely tired out and we need a break, but then our kids come up to us and ask if we can play with them or take them somewhere or do something else to keep them interested. If you are like most mommies, you probably had a thought to just let them sit in front of a screen for a bit to give yourself a break. You know, however, that you would feel like a bad mom if you did that. You would feel like you were neglecting your kids and not give them the attention they need and deserve.

What you need to realize is that your kids will be okay if you don’t play with them one of the times they ask you to. They can entertain themselves, and you won’t emotionally scar them for life by saying “no” to them. You can just tell your kids that you are tired and that you need a break for a bit. Most kids are going to understand. Let your kids know what is up, that you love them, that you want to play with them, but for right now you just need a break. 

This does not make you a bad mother. You don’t have to feel guilty about taking a break and not playing with your kids every once in a while. Eventually, your kids will understand and respect your time a bit more. They don’t need to be constantly entertained all the time, and you should never feel guilty for feeling tired.

Most mothers get tired just by doing motherly things. That is going to happen to you, and you need to realize that it is okay. It is normal to be tired and not feel like doing whatever your kid wants. Your child will understand that you need a rest, and you should not feel bad about taking one. 

You can even ask your kid to come lie down it you or take a break with you. It can still be together time when you are feeling completely exhausted. Of all the advice there is about taking some time out and getting a break from the stress and exhaustion of your daily life, this is the most important. Give yourself time to relax and rejuvenate so that you can come back as your best self, fully energized and ready to go.