What’s your sanctuary?
Your place?
Your thing?
Even when you can’t leave the home behind what do you do at home with a houseful of children to find some time for you?
Finding time for myself has always been a teeter totter for me. When the kiddos were younger … it was actually easier for me. I could pack a few snacks, a book and a toy or two, plop them into the jogging stroller, lace up my trainers and head out for a run. We were comfortable running together in this way for 8-10 miles! Frequently, they would even nap while I pounded the pavement. It was perfect!
As they grew, it became more and more difficult for me to push 100+ pounds. They also grew increasingly less content. Finding time to run alone became a struggle. I thereby began to look forward to the time they could accompany me on their bikes.
This isn’t really possible when they are still using training wheels – too slow. Buddy just recently found success in riding without training wheels. I am now looking forward to running again throughout the summer.
Additional moments to myself that I cherish:
Morning: In the mornings, DH wakes me when he departs for work usually by 5:45 a.m. I often make him breakfast then I get my coffee and head to the computer. My kiddos generally sleep until 7 so I have an hour or so to blog (my online journal) and reflect. This is also the time in which I prep lessons and prepare for the day.
Exercise: I feel so recharged & healthy taking care of my physical self. I swear I feel more energetic and youthful on days in which I’ve been able to exercise. I swim three days a week and hope to resume running three days a week as well. Presently, the runs have been intermittent and irregular. I vow to change that.
Quiet Hour: Many of my friends (both homeschoolers and non) do this … 30 minutes to an hour of quiet time in the middle of the day. Time to settle down. Quiet our thoughts. Our bodies. Recharge. We need to do this. I think this would really help Buddy focus and have fewer conflicts. We are ‘on the go’ so frequently, however, this will be difficult.
Hobbies: I love blogging. I love to write, to network, to read. I take photos and enjoy creating digital scrapbook pages. I love to read … novels, books about teaching and running. I use my love of technology (digital scrapbooking) and blogging to head-up the yearbook for Central Oregon Homeschoolers. This year, I will also be a part of a small team of administrators for our new homeschool community website (forums, blog, calendar, etc.)
Night: When I read, it is usually when everyone else is in bed. I love cuddling up with a good book and being transported to another time … another place. As a part of my passion for reading, I participate in a woman’s book club and we meet once a month to discuss the book (of course) and to just be together as women. It is a great outlet for me and an opportunity to connect.
4 comments
Pebblekeeper
June 29, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Love your Quiet Mum entry! I’ve been having a good time on this “hop”. 🙂 You always are there to encourage me to Exercise for my quiet time instead of nap, and I wish you could hear my gratefulness after a long walk. 🙂
Angela Compton
June 29, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hello there, I am visiting through the blog hop (an am now following) – it’s nice to meet you. We have very similar “mom” time rituals 🙂
-Angela
http://homemadewisdom.blogspot.com/
Kylie
June 29, 2010 at 10:35 pm
This is a great post. I am completey there with you on the exercise. I have no exercised properly since having my kids (nearly 9 years ago) and whilst I am not overweight my general well being does suffer at times. We recently put in a pool and I am vowing to change that when summer hits again.
Thanks for joining inwith the hop. 🙂
School for Us
July 5, 2010 at 12:55 am
Great ideas for ‘mom’ to have some time for herself! I’ve just started jogging – and swimming. I am getting up early and trying to do 3 days of each. I love this time by myself… or sometimes with a friend!
I also love to read and to blog, though I’ve had blog-block lately. 🙂 Actually, I just needed a break from “school”, but I’m ready to jump back in!
Oh, and my other “me” hobby is playing the piano!
We do need to recharge ourselves. Thanks for sharing how you find some “me” time!
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