Yes, this question is what fills my mind during many minutes throughout my day with three children ages three and under at home with me. If only I could just sneak in a couple minutes to check Facebook or emails or drink a cup of coffee while it's still hot or... But alas, I am interrupted again. Interrupted by a baby who wants to be held and played with and acknowledged. Interrupted by a toddler who needs a snuggle or needs his nose wiped. Interrupted by a three year old who wants my full and undivided attention while she tells me a story about princess castles and horsies. This all to familiar scenario brings me to another, more important question: What is the true interruption taking place here? Are my children interrupting me... Or is there a deficit in my own "need tank", so to speak, that's interrupting my ability to be "all there" when it comes to taking care of them?
Mom, please just hear me out till the end of this post. I (as do we all) need times alone and away from my children to refresh myself and feel full enough so that what's on the inside of me overflows out onto them. That's the key though. I want to overflow onto my children. But some days, I feel like I have to dig down so deep on the inside of myself just to get the bare minimum of what I need to care for them all and keep a remnant of my sanity. Some days, my best feels pathetically inadequate compared to the vastness of their needs. I feel like I fall short over and over and over again.
Am I speaking anyone's language here? Or am I the only mom who struggles to make sure I am taking care of me so that I can in turn give my family my best? I have noticed that I start to claw at every opportunity to catch a break when I have stopped overflowing. It happens when I am in serious need of some "me time" and I am running of fumes.
How do we get full enough to trigger the overflow? And then to remain in overflow mode, if you will. I have found that it takes work. It takes planning and intentionality. It takes realizing that it isn't selfishness; it is the opposite actually. When you make a deliberate choice to take care of yourself (however that looks for you), you can then give your husband, kids, girlfriends, etc. the very best you have. They won't get leftovers...or fumes, which stink!
So what fills you up, friend? Do you guard nap time and bedtime with your very own life, like I do? Do you trade kids with a friend once a week and go enjoy a coffee in peace? Get lost in a novel every once in a while? Maybe your hubby takes care of the kids one night a week while you go walk around aimlessly at Target (and perhaps spend a few bucks). Whatever it is that fills you up, do it! Regularly. Don't wait until you're on fumes to fill up your tank. And remember on those rough days that God's grace is sufficient for you and your family. We can only do this mothering thing by His grace anyway!
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