that is totally responsible for keeping me sane. It is called "Brittany's Personal Night".
I like to refer to it as "PTO" - the night of the week where this momma TAKES OFF and
finds a way to regenerate herself into a peacefully gathered woman.
I'm a soft-hearted introvert. I am overwhelmed easily and can become an emotional
train wreck in t-minus 3 seconds. I find rest in being alone, in being creative,
and going on little adventures laced with special treats along the way!
I sound like a small child, huh?! It's amazing what a couple hours of "free time"
can do for me as a woman... wife... momma. How about you? How do you recharge?
I love my husband and children more than my own life. They are the frosting AND the cake
to me. A wild pack of monkeys couldn't tear them away from my heart. But I love them better
when I am fully charged - physically, spiritually, emotionally...
Nathan and I both have found that taking a personal night once a week is pretty
much miraculous. We are just talking about a couple hours after dinner. Whoever stays
home takes care of dishes, lunch for the next day, bath time, bed time, whatever needs to be done
so that the other can truly let go, relax, and take care of themselves.
I think I used to feel guilty about this. I just wanted to be able to GIVE and not NEED
anything. I thought that's what parents do. No, that's what GOD does. No matter how you
slice it - we are just humans, mommas! Taking care of ourselves is INDEED taking care
of our families and those we love.
After a night in the city with a good friend or a cup of coffee and a new book at the
local Barnes and Noble - I AM A NEW WOMAN. Going home is a JOY. I am able to meet the rest of
the week with a fresh outlook because I had time to take care of ME.
As mothers we want to give our children the best. I don't know about you, but I'd move the moon
and bottle up star dust if my children asked me to. I just know that for me to give the best...
I have to disconnect (briefly) so that I can connect better in the long run.
Take care of yourselves, mommas. We need you :-)
This makes me feel better to hear. I had this image of you as one of those really crazy people who like to be with their kids 24/7 without ever needing a break! ;)
ReplyDeletehaha ohhh no, Chaunie!! i love my kids to death and seriously dread the times i have to drop them off with a babysitter or anything - but leaving them for a couple hours with daddy each week, so i can gather myself, is SO helpful! brings that "joy" - we've talked about! reminds me that even though i am a wife and mother... i am still a WOMAN :-)
DeleteI love what you said about being able to give and not need. Nope, that's God. haha so so true. Now if only we could remember that.
ReplyDeleteRight?! It's a daily "work-out" to remember that for me... God is sooooo patient! I don't deserve Him.
DeleteThis is so true! I love when people can share stuff like this :) P.S. I love the new look around here :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brittany! I've been cleaning up - rearranging - yadda yadda... lots of fun work! HTML is for the birds! Did you do your blog by yourself? Hire a designer?
DeleteTime alone yes. Time alone as a couple, yes. I'm not taking about once a week date night. I'm talking a night away or a weekend away a couple times a year. Not talking about the kids. Just focusing on each other. After 27 years of marriage I can say that it is great thing to do!
ReplyDeleteAmen amen!
DeleteThat is some wisdom, girl! I don't have kids but I do ministry and it can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Time alone to refresh is vital!
ReplyDeleteYea - you can totally relate! You are a spiritual mother in soooo many ways, Chelsea!! Are you going to the Influence Conference this fall? Would love to meet you for reals!!!
DeleteYes, taking alone time is so vital for me too. I'm pretty sure I'd be permanently locked up if I didn't have my time to decompress.
ReplyDeleteBAHAHAHA! Well, I am sure glad you get time to decompress. Your sweet heart would be missed if you were locked up!!!
DeleteI found your blog via Chaunie of Tiny Blue Lines and I just have to tell you I adore it! You have such a beautiful family and I love your words too :)
ReplyDelete