Well, since my husband is making me sit on the couch and relax, I suppose I have time to do a post from another class I took at the Hearts at Home conference. Two posts in one week?!?!
This workshop that I took was also given by Jill Savage. I desperately needed this workshop. Sure, a lot of the things are no-brainers, but when incorporated into your life they can make a big difference. Easier said than done, but I am going to work on making them a regular part of my routine.
1. Take a day off. On a regular basis. This does not include my yearly trip to the Hearts At Home conference. I struggle with this one. I often feel that just because I no longer work outside the home that I do not deserve to have "time off." If I am pro-active about taking care of myself, then I lessen my chances of becoming reactive when a "crisis" occurs. When I take care of myself, I am taking care of my family. They have a mom who is refreshed, not stressed.
2. Increase margin. Allow extra time, even for the littlest of things. When going somewhere, plan for the "emergencies". Example: Allow extra time in case a child throws up and you have to change their clothes.
3. Learn to say "no!" Choose one major and one minor outside the home. A major includes something you must prepare for. A minor is something you just show up for. Where a lot of people get in trouble, is that they choose several minors and they don't take into account all the time to which they all add up. For me, my one major is AWANA. I have to prepare for that each week. My minor is nursery. I just have to show up once a month. It is okay to take on more than one minor if, say, one is a one time thing that doesn't conflict with the other minor. Never say yes on the spot to someone, no matter how noble the cause. Say "let me think" or "let me pray about it." (Big issue for me- I have a hard time telling people no, which is usually what gets me so stressed out.) Choose between what is good and best. Sometimes you will have to say no to something good and choose what is best for you at that time. Jill used the example of when she was leading a mom's group in her area. She was then asked to head up VBS at their church. VBS is an excellent thing. However, both were major commitments. She had to ask herself if she was ready to give up leading the mom's group. She wasn't. So she had to say no to leading VBS. Say to ourselves, I am capable, but am I called?
*After hearing the different mothering personalities workshop, I now understand why I get extra stressed when I over commit. I am medium-low capacity, meaning I don't enjoy being overly busy.
4.Take care of your body.
Feed it healthful foods.
Hydrate
Move (exercise)
Rest
5. Expect Interruptions. Unrealistic expectations are preconceived resentments. This also reminded me of a workshop I took a couple years back that said motherhood is the ministry of interruptions.
6. Proactively refuel. Take time to recharge before you get completely drained. For me that is napping on Sundays and having a few minutes of quiet here and there to read a good book. (That's the introvert in me.)
7. Choose important over urgent. If you're helping your child with homework and the phone rings, let it go to voice mail. Your time spent with your child is more important than that phone call. However, if it's hubby it's ok to answer. Husbands come before children! Slowly learning that one.
8. Step away. It's okay to take a time out. There are some days when Matt comes home form work where I need just ten minutes to myself, away from the kids. That's OK!!
9. Ask for help- WITH WORDS! Stop expecting it to happen. This does not mean we can slam cupboard doors if need help instead of asking. (Oops!)
10. Last on the list, but most important- talk to Jesus! When we talk to Him, we begin to unclutter our insides.
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