Out of all of the wonderful roles I have been given?wife, friend, daughter, sister, trainer?there is one that stands out far above the rest?my role as a mother. I have been so blessed with 4 beautiful children that I get to love, teach, and nurture every single day, and for that I am beyond grateful. But my role as a ?mom? doesn’t stop there.
During different seasons of my life, as have many of you, I have had the amazing opportunity to be mom to so many! From my EWL peeps, to nieces and nephews, and everything in between. Being a mother is surely not bound by labor and delivery?it means so much more! From dads who have stepped into the role of ?mom? due to various circumstances, to women who have struggled with infertility but have been blessed with children through the miracle of adoption, and of course those who have shown endless love to children and friends around them providing the selflessness and care that is prerequisite for motherhood. Regardless of what ?mom? looks like for you, there is one common thread?unconditional love. And oftentimes that unconditional love means sacrificing our own personal needs for those around us.
While we love those we take care of and the things we get to do?whether it?s at home, or at work, or both?it?s also crucial that we ?moms? take care of ourselves. Yes?eating healthy and exercising regularly are so important, but often overlooked (and just as important) is taking some time for some R&R?Rest and Relaxation.
I know so many of you, myself included, feel like there just aren?t enough hours in the day as it is?so adding some daily R&R doesn?t even seem possible! Believe me, I?m right there with you. But I also know that when I do get it, even if it?s only for a few minutes, my outlook on life and how I handle the stresses in my life, improves in some pretty amazing ways:
- Reduces those stresses, and since long-term stress can cause so many health issues, getting rid of as much as I can is so important.
- Lessens anxiety.
- Boosts my mood. Those around me really appreciate that one! 😉
- Helps me remember things better. That?s a definite plus!
- Improves my ability to focus, which means it takes less time to do what I need to do, and I make better decisions.
- Helps curb cravings.
- Boosts my confidence.
- Reduces anger and frustration. Chris and my kiddos are very thankful for this one. 😉
- Helps my whole body, including my mind, repair itself = a stronger me!
The benefits of daily, or even weekly, R&R are so far reaching, that they vastly outweigh the cons of taking a personal timeout! As mothers, it is our duty to be there for the ones we love, and if we don?t carve out some time for ourselves now, we may end up limiting our capabilities in the future!
To get you started on your new path to a more healthful, restful lifestyle, I?m giving away one $100 gift card to a local day spa of the winner?s choosing! To enter, simply (1) comment below with why YOU need a mama?s day out, (2) share this post on social media channels and tag me, and (3) follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. A winner will be chosen Tuesday, May 5th. Good luck?and if you aren?t the lucky winner make sure you still take the time to celebrate motherhood and honor the amazing role you?ve been given through some good old fashioned relaxation. We ALL deserve it!
Xoxo,
Heidi
173 Responses
Hi Heidi
I’m writing not to ask for the spa day for me but for my mom. She was a single mom of three when we were growing up. Not only did she do as much as she could but she always made sure we felt loved. As the years went by & we became adults my sister decided to live a life that didn’t get her far. She got into drugs and jail many times. My sister had 6 kids that ended up in foster care. My mom, the woman that had finished raising her children & was ready to retire ended up adopting all 6 of my nieces & nephew (Ages range from 1 to 13years old.) You can imagine how busy her schedule is that she has absolutely no time to herself except when I take the kids to help her out a bit. But that doesn’t compare because she has them day & night everyday. I admire my mom for doing this hard job everyday without complaint. Every time I ask her what gives her strength to keep going everyday, she tells me, “knowing that these kids will have a better future. ”
maria
I would love a day of relaxation!! I agree that every mom needs some serious R&R. We as “sisters” in motherhood should do more to help each other out everyday and it would be easier for all of us!
Why? There are a million little reasons. Wiped butts, folded laundry, dried tears, laughed, read too many books, felt like I spent all day in the kitchen. It’s ALL worth it. I would not trade our new life poverty or our falling apart couch, hand me down clothes, staycations, for anything! I am blessed to be home with my two young children. This phase of my life is almost over… I strive to enjoy every minute of it NOW!
Thanks for the opportunity! Happy Mother’s Day to all!!
As the mother of two boys, life can be pretty hectic, as you already know, Heidi – and all of the hard-working, self-sacrificing mothers out there who go each day without a selfish thought in their heads, putting their families first. A little pampering for us all? Absolutely! Between school schedules, jobs, soccer practice, gymnastics, homework, cooking/making meals and just finding time to cuddle too can seem relentlessly endless. A little getaway sounds marvelous! Thanks for your gift, Heidi!! 😀
I have 9 children and am a stay at home mother and haven’t had a vacation or day out since we had our first born almost 10 years ago. I would love a spa day but would live to spend it with my oldest daughter as she is almost 10 and we don’t get very much one on one time which I know makes her sad inside. God bless. Sincerely Ashley Trapp
I could use a spa day to relax! I’m a single mother of two and I work full time. I spend my evenings running my kids to sports, fuctions, gym etc. I’ve never had a spa day so it would be an amazing treat for myself. I never treat myself. Thx
I could really use a spa day. I just had my 4th baby in February and was supposed to go back to work in March but my 2 year old fell out our second story window and I have been home taking care of her since then. I have not had an hour of time to myself since February 5th when my 4th baby was born and unfortunately with me not working right now I can’t afford to treat myself to a spa day.
3 kids… That’s all I have time to write I barley had time to read this post lol
I am blessed to be a mother of three, a 10 year old son, Mason, a 7 year old daughter, Nola, and a precious angel baby, Silas, who was stillborn on March 5th. I have many reasons to have a day of “Rest and Relaxation”.
I have experienced all of the joys of motherhood in the past year. I was blessed with a pregnancy I had prayed years for. It came with all of pregnancy’s finest, from weeks of morning sickness to playful little kicks:) all while serving as the payroll/human resources/accounting person for our construction company while the kids are at school and mommy duty the rest of the time. Stuffy noses, sore throats, and tummy bugs in the middle of the night. Some blissful holidays and some stressful holidays. Sharing tears of happiness with our children when we announced we had a baby on the way, and sharing even more tears when we told them after our 24 week checkup, Silas had passed away. Those are tears that no mother should ever have to wipe from their child’s little cheeks. I was able to give birth naturally to our son Silas, which was beautiful and traumatic at the same time. My other two babies were born via caesarean birth. I have heard my daughter sob like never before and seen my little man be the strongest he’s ever been, at the funeral of their baby brother. I have experienced more grief in the past two months than I thought I ever would.
Although I have experienced such great grief, I have learned so much. I can be strong and weak at the same time. Along with sadness there is joy. I find peace in the smiles, laughter, twinkling eyes, hugs, snuggles and kisses from my children. I have met so many other moms with similar stories, some worse some better……..
I love being a mother! Every bit of it:) I would do it over 100 times if I could, despite what I have experienced.
We all deserve a day at the “spa”…………However, I am blessed with a fabulous husband and family, and I am fortunate to be able to take time for myself at will:) there are so many others who cannot. So, please share the spa day with one of the other beautiful mommas sharing there stories. I hope some fabulous momma wins the spa day giveaway!!
Thank you Heidi and Chris for all that you do! I’m pretty sure you’re an inspiration to everyone who has ever met, seen, or heard of you:) God Bless!
Would be lovely to have a little relaxation!!’