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
I still consider myself a new mother of my year and a half old daughter. I struggle with taking time for myself and I agree that it feels like there are never enough hours in the day. I work full time, and also am our CEO, CFO and organizer of our household. I come home and take care of my “wifely” and motherly duties (c9okibg, cleaning, etc) then head to bed and do it all over again. I am married to a wonderful husband, but he takes care if our outside property and often times works late. Since I get home earlier then him, I do all the cooking, and by all the cooking I mean he hasn’t cooked a meal since our daughter has been born! In fact, that’s what I asked for for mothers day! I would love to win this gift card to have a little time to myself and relax and rejuvenate. In all honestly, there are probably woman who deserve this much more than myself, but it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love it or appreciate it any less! Thank you for your consideration.
I would love a spa day…. just never seem to find the time and/or extra $ to do so with a 2yr old and both my husband and I working full-time and trying to get it together both physically/health and financially to be in a home (where we would like to stay long term) before she starts school…
good luck to all you moms out there… we all deserve a little “me-time” 🙂
I would love the spa gift but I’m writing on behalf of a very special friend, Janel. In August of 2003 Janel & her husband adopted the baby boy I had as they weren’t able to have children of their own. They had already adopted one child when my son was born. Since then, they adopted a third child then fostered 3 siblings before adopting them for a total of 6 kids. Her husband has so many irons in the fire that she often feels like a single mom. They have allowed all 4 birthmoms to be in their children’s lives and usually visit me every other year. Janel is a completely selfless woman who is secure in herself enough to allow her children to be in their birthmom’s lives and to talk to each child individually about their unique and special adoptive situation. The kids are 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 15. Personally I don’t know how she does it but she does! Each one of those kids are blessed to call her “Mom”
I would love to win. My husband is in the military and before I gave birth we were relocated. I had to leave all of my family and friends. Gave birth to my son in a different state.
Also my husband works 12 hour shifts and it’s a night shift. So I’m the sole caregiver to my son. It would be nice to be pampered. 🙂
Girl! I need a spa day! I’m not a mother in the labor and delivery sense of the word but I am raising 13 kids! I work at a children’s home for wards of the state and at risk youth. My facility houses up to 80 kids and I, personally, work with 13 7-13 year old girls. Every single one of them has experienced severe emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse and neglect. Over half of my 13 are sexual predators themselves (it’s hard to break the cycle sometimes). On a day to day basis, I’m a normal Mom. I get them up, feed them, send them to school and help with homework, chores, and hair brushing. Unfortunately, also on the day to day, I run the risk of being physically assaulted, being called just terrible names, chasing runaways, and keeping preteen sexual predators from finding their next prey. I have the local police department on speed dial.
I wouldn’t change it for the world. A long time ago, I was called to love the unloveable. every child deserves to be safe and cared for and poured into. As a “mom” it’s my pleasure to try to rehabilitate these little ones back into their childhoods. But it is EXHAUSTING! A spa day would be very welcomed! And if there is any way to extend that $100 to my coworkers, our little family of staff would sure love it!
I think I deserve some R&R. My husband and I recently moved due to the needs of our jobs (1300kms away) from support and friends. I’m 25 with a 3 year old son, and a 3 year old daughter (we have had her since she was 1-She’s actually my niece). I lost my dad 2 years ago, and don’t have a mom, or a female role model. It’s tough living life with no support system and making friends in a New town has been proven to be hard for me. I’m also at the start of a healthier lifestyle. I’m down 15lbs and learning how to eat healthier to get to a healthier weight. Not that other moms don’t deserve a break, but I’ve never been to a spa and could use some me time and pampering. 🙂 thanks!
As a mother of 5, I am a full time college student. I am married, and my husband and I both have returned to school in order to prove to our children the importance of having a quality education. Between school and family, there’s not much time left for me. We have been living with my father in law for the past few years in order to make ends meet. There’s nothing more special about me than any of these other ladies posting here, but it sure would be nice to win. Best of luck to all who enter and, even if I don’t win, I am incredibly blessed to have a roof over my head, and 5 beautiful kids, and food in our mouths. Thank you for the opportunity to win a dream!
I’m a 3 month pregnant momma who spends my days chasing my 5 year old lil man. I haven’t had a spa day ever.
I would love to have a R&R day! Our baby has been in the nicu (newborn intensive care unit) since January and it is mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting. She is still in critical condition even after many treatments have been done to help her lungs develop. On top of that, our toddler has been consistently getting a sick with colds and ear infections. I so need this!
I honestly cannot think of a reason of why I am more deserving than someone else to win this contest. I think that all Moms (and Dads) are awesome! There is nothing in your life that is more rewarding than seeing your kids grow up into awesome human beings and knowing that you had some part in that. I can’t say that I am the best Mom out there. But, I know that I am the BEST Mom that I can be each and every day. I am so incredibly lucky to have my kids! Our home is filled with love and laughter! I wish you and all of the other Moms that rock a Happy Mother’s Day!