Take.A.Nap.

It was about 6 years ago, when my oldest was just a baby, that an seasoned mom of a few older kids said to me "when my kids were little I just felt so tired all the time...don't you just feel tired?" I broke into tears and said "yes!!! Yes, I am SOOOOOO TIIIIIIRRRED!" This wise woman then gave me what remains to be one of the best mom tips I've gotten...."take naps...whenever you get a chance and you feel tired, make sure your kids' needs are met and they have something to do nearby, and take a nap."

I'm definitely not suggesting that anyone should make naps a part of their daily routine forever, but I do think there are seasons where we are in greater need of extra rest. When I'm pregnant, nursing, or in a particularly stressful season of life, I nap frequently. Right now for example, I have a three-month-old moose of a baby who is relying on my body alone as his nourishment; so sometimes in the afternoon, I will put on a movie for my older kids and take a snooze on the couch while the babies have their nap. It's almost always interrupted by someone urgently needing to tell me a joke, or someone needing a snack, or they just want to tell me about the movie...but it's still some extra and much needed rest. Even if I don't sleep very much, just laying down and letting my mind stop racing for a few minutes helps tremendously.

I know some moms don't feel tired all the time, and I know some moms think it's absurd to put aside the mothering and wife-ing duties of the day for a few minutes and disengage, but for me it's necessary a couple times a week right now. I feel that I can better serve my family by resting when I really need to. If I leave that load of laundry to be folded later, or my floors don't get vacuumed until tomorrow, in my opinion it's a small price to pay for a rested, happy mom & wife who isn't overwhelmed and burnt out before dinner is even on the table.

Tired mothers out there, it doesn't make you selfish or a bad mom to let your kids play or lay on the floor and watch a movie while you replenish your energy stores and rejuvenate your soul by giving yourself a small break! Just like that morning cup of coffee, or that morning workout, sometimes what I need most is to serve my husband and children by just being Tiffany...and addressing Tiffany's needs for a short while. Mom & wife are still there, they are just the Supremes instead of Diana Ross for a half hour or so.  ;)

Here's to resting...just resting.

Tiff