Photo by thotfulspot
Have you ever had the feeling that you just can't take it anymore? That you must have some quiet time, away from those precious (yet loud) kids of yours?
Probably, you have. And may have even felt guilty about craving such time.
But recently I finished a book that helped me, for the first time, not feel quite so guilty.
A Mother's Rule of Life, by Holly Pierlot, is about creating an intentional order for your day (and is similar to my own book in some ways). The author comes at the topic from a Catholic perspective, which made some parts not as applicable to me personally.
But I just love, love reading another mom's story--seeing what has worked for her and finding snippets of ideas that I can perhaps apply to my own life and home.
The author shares about a time when she reached a point of exhaustion and emotional burnout. She discussed with her husband her need to have time off, which she calls her "Mother's Sabbath." Together they determined that every other Saturday he will stay with the children to give her time off.
It revolutionized her attitude to her job and her ability to do it both joyfully and effectively.
This was honestly the first time I've read someone advocating that taking regular time off is important for a mom. And therefore, important to the health of the family.
What I've read most often from mothering books is that moms must sacrifice and just work really, really hard--without many breaks, to die to self and be selfless.
Which of course we should.
But Holly writes:
"We need to do what we can (when it comes to caring for our whole person) because our psychological and emotional health is essential to the fulfillment of our vocation. We can't give to others what we don't have."
Can I get an Amen!
I am totally there--at a place where I need a mother's sabbath, and regularly. I am making plans to make it a reality.
If you feel the need, you should too. Talk to your husband, hire a sitter, swap with a friend, enlist the help of family.
It's not about running away, it's about being able to be present--about caring for ourselves so we can give the very best care to those who need it.
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