How To NOT Lose Your Mind

“Mommy, why do I have to clean my room?”

“Mom.  Do I really have to take a bath?”

“Honey, have you seen my blue shirt?  You know.  The blue shirt I like.”

“Do you think you can stay a few minutes after work to finish up this project?”

“Can you help me plan this brunch?”

“OMG, did you see what Deb posted on her Facebook wall? Let me know if you think that she’s vaguebooking and talking about me.”

Any of this sound like things you encounter in a regular day of your life?  Studies have shown that the average 4 year old asks 390 questions…A DAY.

390 questions. A day.

Let’s let that sink in.

And heaven help you moms with more than one kid running around with all these questions.  But I am going to try to help with that.  I’m not even going to act like this will help you with the virtue of patience.  How ’bout more like that ability to not lose your mind.

:: Take Care of Yourself ::

There’s a reason the flight attendant tells you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then try to help others.  How can you save anyone when you’ve passed out?!  There are all types of pressures on mom to be everything to everyone.  And yes, somehow we manage to pull it off.  But that doesn’t mean you should neglect the very person keeping you going.  Yourself.  Get your rest.  Get your exercise.  Eat well.  Take breaks.

:: Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes ::

Although I’m sure we all do things the best way there is, sometimes other people need to take the wheel.  Hubby might not do bathtime or bedtime or make lunches the way you do, but if it gets the job done – sometimes you just need to let it be.  You have people around that can help.  I have literally said, “I need a minute” and handed off a screaming Addy to the nearest person so I can take a few minutes of quiet time in the bathroom…or Starbucks…or Target, as needed.  Even Superman had the Justice League.

:: Prioritize ::

Yes, sometimes it is more important to watch Chuck on Netflix than it is to make sure all of the laundry is folded and catch up on emails.  I can’t be the only one that feels this way.  Sometimes it’s more fun to spend the long, sunny evenings at the park than making sure dinner is served exactly at 7.  Today’s opportunities might not be tomorrow’s.  Maybe you’ve gone digital and love your Google calendar for your family.  Maybe you kept it old school and keep a paper datebook in your purse. Maybe you just have a system of sticky notes over every surface. Whatever works.  Knowing what you HAVE to do leaves lots of room for what you WANT to do.  Making a list of what absolutely and realistically MUST get done first let’s you see what can.

:: No.  It’s a complete sentence. ::

We add unnecessary stress on ourselves trying to explain things.   On the odd occasion I put in a request for vacation, I find myself explaining what I need the time for.  You know what?  I don’t need to!  It’s my time.  If I’m not going to your birthday dinner, I don’t need to tell you that it’s because I have a cousin coming into town.  I don’t have to say I can’t spend the money because my Mint app told me I’m over my budget for food this month.  No is enough sometimes.  Do not feel bad about going further than no.

Mom-Sentence-Printable{Love this?  Hover over to pin or click here to print.}

:: Sometimes You Just Can’t Keep Calm ::

It’s not good to keep everything in.  Sometimes you just might be the mom that goes off in Chick-Fil-A because your purse spilled, and your kid inexplicably removed {and then lost} their shoe, and you left your wallet at home, and you realized your shirt was on inside out.  Those things happen.  Hopefully, not frequently.  But still, the minor things in life start to add up and sometimes you just can’t help but go off.  That’s ok.  Be the crazy lady for a second.  Release.  Apologize {if they deserve it}, and then go home and try again tomorrow.

Mom-Calm-Printable{Love this one too?  Hover over to pin or click here to print.}

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Breonna B
Breonna was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She is recently married to Tyrone, a graphic designer. They currently reside on the West Side of this great city. A big fan of movies, books, photography, and Starbucks, she currently finds herself knee-deep in the throes of being a mommy to Addy {Feb 2011}. Breonna spends the typical 9-5 doing yadda yadda yadda at her job {yes, it’s that nondescript and uninteresting}. She started blogging as a way to do movie reviews, but that gave way to pregnancy blogging. She eventually landed her own space of the internet on BreWrites as well as on Twitter and Instagram {@brewrites} where she talks about everything from the sassiness of her child, to the most recent concert tickets she got her hands on, to the occasional piece of short fiction.

1 COMMENT

  1. Great article, Bre’. I’m such a fan. (And, no, I’m not biased just because I’m the proudest mom. . . ever!!!!!)

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