Time for a deep breath
November 29, 2010 by Shannon
Well, here it is. My baby is 4 months old now, which means…it’s time to take my life back.
Sort of. Once you’re a parent, of course, your life is no longer lived for just yourself alone. However, it’s time for me to make a few changes around here.
With two young kids in our family now, I’ve let a lot of things slide regarding myself and my well-being. Some don’t matter to me so much, like how gray my hair is getting. Other things are really little, but really annoying, like how I wash my hands a million times a day but never take the time to slather on some lotion before rushing back to attend to the kids, and therefore end up with dry, cracked, and sometimes bleeding knuckles. Other things really are big. Like the doctor’s appointment I need to make for myself that I’ve put off for at least a couple of months now.
During an emergency on an airplane, you’re supposed to put the air mask on yourself before you assist your child. I haven’t done that. It’s time for me to put on my own air mask and take a deep breath.
And since it just so happens that my determination to change things comes during one of the craziest times of the year, my new resolve also includes the holiday season. It is my intention to make the most of little moments with my family. To be fully present. To have fun. To spend less time on commercialism and more time on shared experiences that we’ll all remember. I refuse to allow this Christmas season to whip by me in the blink of an eye. I will stop and savor the good things in my life.
Ahhhhhhh. The air from that mask is pretty refreshing.
Comments (7)
I hope you do stop and savour all the good things in your life and I hope you’re able to spend more time taking care of you!
I too had those same thoughts Shan. My family Christmas ornament making was a little rough though. I hope you have a smoother go of it. Love you.
What a wonderful and important revelation.
I was noticing this myself this last weekend over the first of the holiDAZE and realizing that I need to set aside “me” time so that I can be a better parent.
Good for you, as your friend and a fellow solider, this was very refreshing.
Thank you.
Do try to enjoy the season w/ the kids! Don’t stress out over the little things! Enjoy it all!! Plus it’s birthday month!!!
Good for you! The air-mask thing is a lesson I have to keep learning over & over. And it’s not that I’m the martyr type. It’s just that you get so busy & used to attending to everyone else’s needs that before you know it, you’ve gone 3 days without showering, sleep in your clothes, and drink coffee for breakfast. Or maybe that’s just me.
And if you find a miracle hand-cream, PLEASE let me know.
Shannon, call me if you ever want to leave the kids with the hubbies for a couple of hours and have some grown up girl time. We could go have a pedi, or go downtown and shop for…chocolate or something…or go have a glass of wine! You deserve it! And just think how sweet you will be to your kiddos after you relax
Here’s a tip that I have been doing for cracking bloody knuckles: when I’m cooking with olive oil, I catch some of the oil that inevitably drips down the bottle and rub it in to my fingers, and put a drop on my dry lips too! It works wonderfully