With Mother’s Day just having passed, moms around Canada finally had the chance to kick back and enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation. And having recharged a bit myself, I’ve realized that moms have a very common tendency of putting themselves last. But when it comes to being a parent, taking care of ourselves means more time, energy and patience to deal with our kids. A happy, healthy mom makes the entire family stronger!
I’ve always been bad for neglecting my own needs in favour of my boys, but over the last year or so, I’ve really made a conscious effort to change that and the difference in my energy and patience levels have been amazing! In my opinion, these are three things that every mom should be making time for:
Make Time for Breakfast
The importance of breakfast has been proven time and time again, yet still so many women wake up, pour a cup of coffee, make a meal for their children and never take a bite themselves. I was one of the absolute worst culprits for this, even months after making regular breakfast one of my goals. I’ve finally managed to get into the routine thanks to two things: Orange Naturals ND Shake for Women and the MyFitnessPal app. Whipping up a quick shake in the morning is so easy with the help of my immersion blender, a little fruit, some yogurt, milk or even just water. My personal favourite combination is a Chocolate Strawberry Shake made with ½ cup of frozen strawberries, ½ cup of plain yogurt, ½ cup of milk and two scoops of ND Shake for Women Chocolate. Yet even with such a tasty breakfast to anticipate, I’d sometimes get rushed and skip breakfast anyways. The MyFitnessPal app made all the difference. A morning notification to provide me with motivation to record my breakfast on the app has helped me keep the habit once and for all, while the shakes give me energy that lasts all day!
Make Time for Sleep
Working from home means that I have much greater flexibility in my hours than some, but that flexibility also means that sometimes I’ll get caught in a trap of working late nights and being exhausted the next morning. I’ve been making a conscious effort to change that by stopping any kind of work around ten at night and just relaxing in bed for a while. For the most part, I’m always asleep by eleven now, while in the past I’d sometimes stay up until two in the morning or even later. And the energy and positivity I have in the morning as a result has been worth every minute in bed! Instead of dragging myself downstairs in the morning to get my boys ready for school, I’m hopping up with time to spare, which means a happier morning routine for the entire family. Even better, since I generally have the boys fed and ready to leave for school in such good time, I usually also have a few extra minutes to check my emails and get organized for a day of work! Getting a proper night’s sleep can be hard when feeling busy and stressed, but it saves time in the end.
Make Time For Fun
With life being so busy, I eventually reached a point at which all of my time and energy was either being focused on work or on my boys. It went on for so long that I didn’t even realize I no longer took any time just for myself, but it only took one night out with a few friends to realize how detrimental it had been to not indulge my own desires occasionally. At that moment, I vowed to take time for myself each and every week in some way. Whether I head out for a fun kid-free dinner on Friday night, enjoy a decadent mid-week bubble bath or spend a quiet Sunday afternoon reading a book, the opportunity to mentally recharge by doing something I love just for me has had so many benefits I didn’t expect. I’m happier, feel less rushed during the week, have much more patience with my boys and enjoy doing things with Zackary and Benjamin more than I did before. It was easily one of the best things I’ve done for my family as a whole and I certainly won’t be forgetting to take time for myself again any time soon!
To help you take care of yourself all year long instead of just on Mother’s Day, Orange Naturals has put together a very special giveaway! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win a prize pack containing $125 of Orange Naturals products, an Orange Naturals Travel Shaker Cup and a copy of The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Sherry Torkos! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about the greatest lesson you learned either as a mom, or from your own mother.
Mother’s Day is such a fun and peaceful day for moms across North America, but it’s also a great day to remember that we deserve to be first at other times throughout the year too. Considering all we do for our families, we definitely deserve it!
ONatural Mother's Day giveaway
Disclosure: I am part of the Orange Naturals Mom Ambassador Program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Tanis says
Patience is the greatest lesson I’ve learned…. especially running on little sleep!
Wanda Tracey says
My greatest lesson I learned from my mom is to love and appreciate every day we have together with each other because time flies and we only have an open window, of so much time ,with everyone we have in our lives.
Victoria Ess says
Beauty is on the inside.
nicolthepickle says
That I don’t have to do or know everything. My mom is the best.
Lisa H says
To not over analyze life and enjoy the days as they come.
Soozle says
I learned that things are usually not as bad as you think they are!
Carol Denny says
I learned to take one day at a time and things will work out.
holly o'gorman says
Not to worry about what other people think.
Kat says
As a mother of 2 boys I’ve learned that my life comes second. My mother passed away a year ago and her greatest legacy was her love for her 3 children.
Doreen Lamoureux says
I have learned to just be …. in this moment …. time with the children outside is more important than a super clean house.
tanyab79 says
Be yourself and be confident.
Jennifer L. says
I learned to take really good care of my health from my mom.
MaryG. says
I’ve learned that time is fleeting so make the most of it!
Stephanie LaPlante says
My mother has taught me to be kind and loving
Gizele says
Take it one day at a time.
kathy downey says
My greatest lesson I learned from my Dad was while you visit this earth treat everything with respect
Emily C says
To be scared to try new things.
Louise Gilbert says
be your self and try new things don’t be scared
Chris Stockford says
Patience is the greatest lesson I’ve learned
Amy C says
I learned to pick my battles.
Melinda says
I learned patience.
Melanie Camirand says
I learn that I can’t control everything and that I must often let go and learn to adjust.
Silvia D says
Patience, caring and understanding,
Kelley Moore says
Be yourself
Jenn says
Great post Kat! I believe that we too often but ourselves on the back burner to take care of our family. However, if the motor isn’t running then the family will crumble! Great tips!
DarW says
Patience truly is a virtue!!! one I still don’t have…. after 3 kids!
Brenda Penton says
The biggest lesson I learned was that being a mom can be really hard. I remember my mom saying “just wait until you have your own kids!” and I would be “yeah, right!” and I have to say she was right all along.
charityk says
i have learned to take time for myself and not feel guilty about it
Lee-Ann says
I learned that no matter what – my mom did the best she could – all the time. I didn’t quite understand it until I became a mother myself.
jamie hall says
to realize that you will never be perfect and to be ok with it
J says
I learned to laugh and embrace happiness as something important.
lori b says
I have 2 boys and was a single parent during their younger years, I learned patience and have lots of it.
Jonnie says
My mom tried to teach me that with age comes wisdom. Of course, at that time, I thought I knew it all. Now that I am older, I realize she was right and I still have a lot to learn.
jan says
she taught me to take responsibility for my actions
Dana Miller says
As a Mom, I’ve learned that I will never be perfect despite my best intentions.
lynn clayton says
I LEARNED TO RELAX AND THAT IM NOT PERFECT
Pamela Edens says
Mom said, “Don’t ever say I can’t” , “you will always find a way”. Of course she was right!
Rhonda W G. says
My mom forbid us to use the word “hate” in our home. She said it what leads to war etc. To this day I try not to use it…
Erin McSweeney says
My mom taught us to not give up and always try
Florence C says
I learned to really listen when someone is trying to tell you something.
d.petch says
Always keep your words, threats or warnings!
Caroline says
Perhaps not to have too many expectations.
jessica eapen says
I’ve learned to have a lot of patience
LisaM says
that family is important
leanne says
One day at a time and spending time with the kids is more important then cleaning the hous.e
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
I learned the importance of budgeting
BobbiJo Pentney says
Don’t let anyone tell you that you cant.
Terri Baker says
I have learned to pick your battles when it comes to parenting. You can’t always win when you disagree with your children, but not all disagreements are worth arguing over; you just become a nagging parent. Try to have conversations and possibly come to some sort of compromise.
Juliee Fitze says
The best lesson I have learnt is that I have a lot more patience with my grandchildren then when I was young.
Dreena says
Time waits for no one and time flies, so enjoy every moment.
Cheers.