So I finally found an itsy bitsy tiny amount of motivation! I told the Hubby the other night that I needed two nights during the week to be able to go for a walk/run. He 100% supports the idea and told me he would take care of bedtime. What he doesn't understand is that I don't want to give up putting the kids to bed in order for me to exercise. I either need to go as soon as he gets home so that I can be back for bedtime, or I go after they are in bed. It's not really an option for me to miss out on saying goodnight twice a week, at least in my mind!
He also said that we do have these things called jogging strollers.... Ummm, yes we do. And I DO take the kids for walks several times a week. However, if I just go for a long walk, they tend to fall asleep and then that messes with nap time! Besides, it would just be nice for me to get out by myself every once in awhile.
Well anyway, he came up with the plan for me to go on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yesterday was my first walk by myself. I left after I cleaned up Ayden and Rylee from dinner. Can I tell you what a breath of fresh air it was to go for a nice brisk walk BY MYSELF??? I literally took several deep breaths and just relished having a half hour of ME time! It was so relaxing to not have to worry about Ayden and Rylee. To not have to try to keep up a conversation with two toddlers that can't yet talk. To not have to stop when one of them gets upset about something.
Please don't get me wrong. I love that I can take them for walks and they actually don't mind being in the stroller. I love talking with them and hearing them talk to each other. I love that I have the opportunity to stay home with them, but as a stay at home mom living in a town that I have no family and only one friend in, and as someone that really enjoys and needs my own personal time, it was the best, most relaxing 30 minutes I've had in a long time!
Tony got the kids in their pj's and brushed their teeth while I was gone. Then when I got back we read books and went through our bedtime routine together. It was perfect.
We'll see how long this lasts. Hopefully we can get into a good routine and I can continue.
That sounds perfect!! I have no doubt you appreciate your time with your kids but you also need some time for you!
ReplyDeleteIt really was so nice! Of course I love the time I get to spend with Ayden and Rylee, but it's so nice to be able to have even just a short mental break to myself. Thank you for understanding!
DeleteGood for you! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It is so wonderful to hear from you Shelley! I hope you are doing well?
DeleteThat sounds like a perfect plan! Good for you. I know its nice to have some alone time, we all need it.
ReplyDeleteSounds just right. Funny how being an infertile and finally having children we feel we have to justify needing a little bit of time just for ourselves. Every mom or dad deserves a little bit of recharge time. Infants and toddlers are hard work and if you don't recharge you can't give them 100% when you are with them. Enjoy your walks and know this is just as important for your children as it is for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. You have no idea how much I needed to hear your kind words.
DeleteAWWWWW, I'm glad you found some motivation and can enjoy a bit of quiet and feel good about what you are doing for yourself and in the long run for your family!!! I hope you can continue with it especially with the time change about to happen too!!! But you and Tony will work out whatever change needs to happen to make everything work for all of you!!! Stay happy and healthy!!! Love you, Auntie
ReplyDeleteI am wondering how I'm going to keep it up once it starts getting darker earlier. I have a headlight and mace, but honestly, I don't feel the safest in this town so not sure the walks will continue once it gets dark. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteHeadlight, mace and cell phone very handy are a VERY good start! Is your little street a safe place where you could use it as a track? I know for myself, once I'm out of the routine, I'm in trouble!!! So just offering up a suggestion?!!
DeleteYes, we actually have a little loop that could work very well as a track when it starts to get dark sooner. That's a very good idea! I tend to get bored pretty easily with the same scenery, but I might just have to make that work.
DeleteI'm not even two months in and I must have some time to myself! Bedtime is pretty sacred though, I was insisting that my husband had to do it, as otherwise I was taking care of her round the clock (minus a few times he does a diaper change or gives her a bottle) I like the relief but miss the bedtime shift a bit
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic that your husband is already up for the challenge of bedtime by himself though! Good for you taking time for yourself, and it's probably good for him and Jate to have that bonding time together as well. At that stage, we didn't even have a bedtime routine yet and still was in survival mode! I'm sure as Jate gets older, you'll make adjustments as needed so you can be a part of that bedtime routine too.
DeleteGood for you! CP and I switch off doing bedtime (when he is in town) and I'm okay with missing out on it. I like my days where I work from home because I can take a nice long walk with the dog while listening to a podcast either before/after work or during lunch. It's refreshing!
ReplyDeleteWoo keep it up!
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you found some time to yourself and now can have a little work out schedule!
ReplyDeleteYay! That sounds like a great plan. I am still trying to find a way to get some "me time" but I feel so guilty taking it because I miss out on so much with them by being at work all week. I need to get over that. We are going to be better parents if we take care of ourselves. You deserve that time!
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