Motherhood is a calling like no other. The job description doesn't include an hour lunch break, team meetings, or vacation time. From the time the kids get up to the time they go down for bed, little lives are depending on you. The job description might include, but are not limited to: change diapers, assist with potty training, teach numbers, letters, colors, help with reading, provide stimulating activities, keep the pantry and fridge stocked, cook/prepare healthy and satisfying meals, get the baby to (finally) eat some food, wean the baby off of a bottle and deal with the consequences of that, teach them how to share and get along, and to prefer others over themselves. That's just the beginning.
My confession in all of this is that I have put all of my eggs in one basket: Motherhood. I'm not saying that I regret that or that Mom's shouldn't put so much effort and time into Motherhood. Motherhood is the most important role you could ever assume; you are shaping young children to become (eventually) happy, productive, and intelligent members of society. Sticking the kids in front of Barney and Sesame Street isn't going to get them there. It requires work, effort, dusting yourself off each day, getting up when you're tired, being patient, nurturing, and giving hugs and kisses to your kids to help them thrive.
Lately I've been feeling a little empty, you might say. Not necessarily sad, but empty. My husband helped me to see that I'm not really doing anything for myself. A neighbor recently mentioned that she likes to bike, to which my husband chimed, "You should go with her sometime." I quickly dismissed it as wishful thinking: I don't have time for a bike ride anymore! I've got kids to take care of!
The lesson to remember here is that I have to make time for something like a bike ride. Something that I enjoy. My husband asked what makes me feel alive, and I actually had a hard time answering it. I've expelled the idea that I could even have passions, or things that make me feel alive, because when would I even have the time to do those things?? Thankfully my husband has insisted on me having some "me" time to do what makes me feel alive. This makes me a healthier, happier Mom for my kids, which is reason enough for me to figure out and pursue at least one thing (apart from children) that makes me feel "alive."
What is it for you? What makes you feel alive? How do you recharge as a Mom? What do you make time to enjoy?