I have two questions for you.
1. Are you a mom?
2. Did you do something today that was just for you, and you only?
If you answered yes to both those questions, I’d love to hear what that was that you did for yourself.
This month I said I would start running again. I set my alarm. I pressed snooze a few times. I made my coffee and delayed getting dressed. Then those beautiful loves of mine woke up and started the, “Mommies…”
“Mommy I’m hungry.”
“Mommy I’m thirsty.”
“Mommy I’m done. Come wipe me.”
“Mommy I’m cold.”
“Mommy I have a tummy ache.”
“Mommy…Mommy…Mommy…Mommy…”
And there went my jog. Yes, I had procrastinated on getting out the door before they woke up. Yes, hubby had woken me up before my alarm even first went off. Yes, this was the first run in months. the last run I went on, I couldn’t even find my shoes since it had been so long since the last time before that one.
I keep telling myself I want to run again. I even put down in words that by the end of next year I’d like to run a half marathon. Saying is much easier than actually geting out and doing it.
Hubby kept telling me to go. He’d get the kids ready, and we’ll be out the door in time for their dentist appointment.
But the kids still hadn’t finished their breakfasts, and hubby had been on the phone all morning dealing with business. I couldn’t leave! I had to make sure they were all fed. The kids needed baths, their teeth brushed, hair fixed, and on… and on… and on….
That’s when hubby said, “When are you going to start putting yourself first?”
He was right. And I was mad at him for being right. I had procrastinated all morning so that we could enjoy our coffee together before the kids woke up. That would have been the perfect time to go out. Then once the kids woke up, I was stuck with my morning mommy duties. I always ate last, showered last, and besides this morning, can’t remember ever getting to my coffee while it’s still hot.
I knew that if I didn’t take time for myself and get out for a run, I wouldn’t hear the end of it. I have been talking about running every day now this month. Here he was holding me accountable for my words.
I stormed into the bedroom, got dressed, threw a hat over my pony tale, brushed my teeth, slammed my feet into my running shoes, and stormed out. I knew I didn’t have mush time, so I decided to sprint the half mile loop of our side of the neighborhood. Huffing and puffing I wobbled back into the house in four minutes to surprise hubby who hadn’t even known I’d left.
Those four minutes were fuel by anger for not putting myself first as usual, and for making it so that hubby had to point it out.
So, I got my run in. Yes, it was only half a mile, but at least it was a start. Tomorrow I will make it a whole mile, and one of these days I will make it thirteen miles.
It’s the little things that us mommies need to do to keep ourselves healthy and sane if we are to be able to take care of our little loves. From those solo grocery runs or extra long trips to Target, to those occasional moms night outs with the girls. From the extra long shower in the morning, to that long overdue pedicure.
My mommy time this morning was a four minute half mile sprint.
What was your mommy time today?
Take a deep breath… close you eyes and DREAM BIG!!! You hold in your hands the key to everything. Hold on tight to the one thing that you want the most, and let it sail; you push all the trapped air in your chest out, holding onto your goal and setting forth your intent, your will. Do you remember this childhood ritual; when simply declaring your innermost wish, and sending it out into the universe seemed possible? What did you wish for? I ALWAYS wished for the same thing, every birthday candle I blew out, every dandelion I picked, every lamp I fantasized stumbling upon. I ALWAYS wished to fly…
Blind Mom in the Burbs 
