Actually, the title should say “Much Needed Mommy Me Time.”
Once we become mothers, our identity as an individual woman is lost. Birth is greater than bringing a new life to the world, as huge as that is. Birth also ushers in our motherhood, full force. We agree to be responsible for growing a body and nurturing a soul and may consent to continue to nurture said being for the rest of our living days. So here I am, in the thick of “nurturing” and realizing that I need to take care of myself so I can better care for those who depend upon me (a recurring theme, I know).
Part of my care includes recognizing myself as a woman. My needs are not only the needs of the family. To keep my life in perspective, I have to carefully evaluate what I need to feel like I’m fully living my purpose. Not everyone feels this way, and it’s important to know what your personal needs are.
A friend of mine and I are doing a baby-sitting swap. For frugal mothers (whether of desire or necessity) who seek their alone time, this is solid gold. It’s giving and receiving. Today I got to go to the library and browse in the upstairs section. It doesn’t matter that we were at the library yesterday. I can’t remember when last I checked a book out for myself. After the library, I went to a local bookstore. It was time to buy an ’09 calendar, and they had some beautiful ones. Not every time for me includes an expense, but it is a reward to myself for all the work I put into this family-rearing that justifies my purchases when I make them. (Hope you agree, dear.) đŸ˜‰
Now this evening we enjoy our church’s meal before the service (trans: “I don’t have to cook”). After the short, kid-friendly/chaotic service, I facilitate a women’s spirituality circle. The church provides a nursery.
I know it doesn’t always take a village to raise a child, but I’m a firm believer that it helps greatly. If nothing else, it makes for better mothers.