Mother’s Day – Time to Pamper Yourself

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I have already started making room for the macaroni necklaces and otherwise uncategorized art projects, but it’s also time to start thinking about how to pamper yourself for Mother’s Day.

I am going to draw on one of my mother’s classic pieces of advice (I don’t think that she was the first to state it though) – on an airplane, you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can take care of your child. If you let yourself get frazzled, overworked and run down then you aren’t going to be able to give your best to your children.

And while jetting off to a remote island for some uninterrupted sleep might be out of the question (if it’s not, can I come?!), there are still some simple ways to start treating yourself.

5 Ways Mothers Can Pamper Themselves

Nighttime Retreat

When the kids finally fall into a deep slumber at night, consider taking a bubble bath (remove the rubber duckies first) and just sit in the peaceful silence, or curl up in bed with your favorite book with some tea – it’s really up to you, just turn off the electronics, enjoy the stillness and allow your brain to recharge. The laundry will still be there in the morning.

Be One With Nature

If you have the ability to get some daylight hours without the kids in tow (whether with the help of a babysitter, spouse or a family member), then take some time to do something outside. Walk in the park, on the beach, go kayaking… anything to soak up some vitamin D and feed your soul. Find somewhere to go where you can simply listen to the sounds of nature.

Practice Your Hobbies

Maybe you like to knit, surf, scrapbook or mountain bike, whatever it is just go do it! Just because you are a mom doesn’t mean you have to give up on the interests you had before you had children. Whether with a close friend or on your own, spend some time each month enjoying your hobbies, and who knows, maybe they will one day be activities your kids will also love.

Schedule A Date With Yourself

This is an idea from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, and while I scoffed at the idea at first, I now make it a priority. Once a month, schedule a date with yourself – by yourself! Go to a movie, out to dinner, read a book in a coffee shop or go to a museum. Let your mind wander and enjoy the solitude.

Gratitude and Praise Journal

While this may not seem exactly like pampering yourself, keep a gratitude journal is a must to help mom’s keep perspective. It’s easy for us to get weighed down with the things that we feel aren’t going right in our lives or we can get overwhelmed with the daunting responsibility of raising children, but taking time everyday to list the things we are grateful for in our lives can help ward off negativity. If you don’t know where to start, try “I am grateful that I can breath, that my heart is pumping blood…” Eventually, you will find it hard to stop writing the things you are grateful for because the list is endless.

And a Praise Journal is for you to praise yourself, no one is going to give you a raise because you were “Best Mom in the Region” or because you consistently keep the household expenses under budget. There aren’t a lot of tangible rewards for moms (other than the exponential rewards that come with watching your children grow and thrive) and everyone can use a little validation. Each night, or at least once a week, write down all the things you are proud to have accomplished – even if it is just folding the laundry.

Taking time for yourself not only does wonders for your body, mind and soul, but it sets an example for your children on how to care for ourselves.

What is your favorite way to treat yourself?