I understand and appreciate how busy moms are these days.  We not only work outside the home, but clean the home, schedule our children’s activities into our schedules, make dinner and take care of our aging parents.  All of these activities are worthwhile, but they all take a toll on us personally.  Before we know it, weeks have gone by where we have not taken any time for ourselves.  We have not taken the time to relax, or do anything for ourselves!  Here are some tips to ensure that you don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

First of all, take a good look at what you desire to do.  How much time would this activity take to complete? Now take out your family planner (you know the calendar everyone’s activities are written on) and schedule this time into the week.  Make an appointment for yourself and KEEP IT!

Whether it is a movie out with your girl friends once a month, your daily exercise routine, time to finish that book you started or time to watch your favorite tv show.  Make a commitment to this activity, schedule it and set the money aside.  It’s good for you and for your family for you to take some time to do activities that you enjoy.  And it is okay that the activities may or may not include your family.

I know there is someone reading this that says,  “I just don’t have any extra time to squeeze this in.”  I challenge you to look at everything you do in a day.  Are your children old enough to help out?  Do you ask your husband to pitch in and help?  Or do you do it ALL?  It really is okay to have help.  Put some music on and have the kids help clean the house.  Make it a game and the kids will enjoy picking up their toys and helping clean up the house.  Your husband will even pitch in if you just ask.  He’ll enjoy time with you more if you are less stressed and more relaxed.

Take a look at your children’s schedules.  Do they do so much that even they don’t have time to relax?  Do you give in to every whim and desire they have?  Remember that you are the adult, and you do have the right to say “No.”  That goes for helping out in every activity that your children do participate in.  You do not have to coach everything, or be head fundraiser or bake all the cupcakes for each school function.  You can say “No” to all the outside demands on your time.  Pick and choose what to do, so you will enjoy helping more.

Now, start small and build up.  Schedule in your exercise and one other relaxing activity each week and stick to it.  Keep these appointments as you would a doctor’s appointment and hopefully you will begin to feel a little less stressed and happier overall.