5 Ways to Stay Sane While Raising Kids

5 Ways to stay sane while raising kids 

Do you find yourself singing "The wheels on the bus" in your head, wondering when you cut your hair last or even washed it, talking about poop like it's no big deal, explaining why M&M's for every meal isn't healthy, picking up the same toys every ten minutes, shushing a child for saying something totally embarrassing at the grocery store... if you answered yes to most, if not all, of the above, you must be a parent. Being a parent is the greatest gift in the world. It really is. I love being a Mom more than anything. But, sometimes I really feel like I am going insane. Here are five things that I have found that help keep me sane while being a Mommy:

1. Find a hobby.

 (Crafting, exercising, playing a sport, quilting, painting, writing, photography, collecting, etc.)

Before having kids I was able to do things that I loved: traveling, following a strict exercise routine, yoga class multiple times a week, shopping, attending sports games, and so many more things. Yeah, I worked full-time but when you don't have kids... let's be honest... life is just easier. When you have kids, your life is no longer yours. Your kid's hobbies are your's. NOTHING. IS. ABOUT. YOU. Get used to it. BUT, if you want make it out of parenthood alive, find something you enjoy. Right now I really enjoy crafting. It's like an addiction. When I am in my tenth argument of the day with my two year old, I am able to get through it because I know that in a few hours when she is sleeping I will be sewing the heck out of some beautiful fabric. Some beautiful Chevron canvas... I can do it... just get on the dang toilet my sweet, sweet daughter. 

 2. Find inner peace. 

(Yoga, religion, reading uplifting books, meditating, taking a candlelight bath, deep breathing, going for walks, etc.) 

 One thing that I do on occasion that I would like to do regularly is waking up before the kids wake up. Wake up with a smile and stretch in bed. Hop in the shower and enjoy the privacy. Get dressed slowly and actually have time to lotion up. Smile in the mirror. When the kids wake up, you are happy and can be a good mom.

 3. Find time for yourself.

(Go out with friends a few times a month, do something you like to do during nap-time or when kids are in school, get a babysitter for a night and go on a date, etc.) 

 On occasion, when my husband comes home from work, I tell him I need a time-out. I lock myself in my room for 30 minutes or so to rejuvenate. I watch a show or browse facebook, or close my eyes while listening to soft music, or shower, or do yoga. Just having a few selfish minutes in an otherwise selfless day is so refreshing. The kids will survive with their Daddy. The house may be messy when I come out from the room but the time-out was needed. For me, a few minutes of alone time is enough for me to be a patient Mom again.

 4. Find opportunities to serve people- not including family members (you should be doing that already and as a mom I find I am doing this 24/7 anyways) 

(make someone dinner, call someone you haven't talked to in a while, leave a note at someone's door, make cupcakes for your kid's friends and have them drop it off at their house, offer to watch someone's kids for them if you know they need a break, etc.)

 When you start focusing on others, you take the focus off of yourself. The things that you worry about and stress over don't go away but the 'why me' and 'this isn't fair' seems to go away when you serve others.

 5. Challenge yourself.

(learn a new language, read a book about a subject that interests you, follow an exercise program, try new recipes, find opportunities to speak in public, take a dance class, etc.) 

 I am currently taking some classes to keep up my Personal Training and Exercise Physiologist Certifications. When the kids go down for a nap, all I want to do is curl up and go to sleep but I have felt such a sense of accomplishment as I use that time to study.


Stay sane my friends! -Brittani