Episode 6 – Mommy Time

Whether you are a stay at home mom, a working mom or some combination of both, this week’s episode of Pregnant in Heels is relevant to you.  The struggle to find balance in our lives as parents and to have an identity beyond parenthood is a complex issue that many of us deal with. I think about it often and I am asked about it all the time.

I have always known I wanted to be a mom. I am now completely immersed in all things Mom and Parents both in my personal life and in my career, as the mom of three kids under the age of four plus my maternity clothing and MomPrep businesses. However, even when being a mom is so intertwined with every aspect of one’s life it is still important to have some kind of identity outside of being a mom.  At least, I believe it is important.

Who we are as individuals, our interests, our sense of self and interests away from parenting are the things that help make us interesting and rich individuals; not only for ourselves and our partners but also for our kids.  Growing as individuals actually improves our ability to parent and inspires our children to be well rounded people.  We are after all, their role models.

Outside interests make us more creative and give us more energy for the thing that is most important to us, being a parent. So while it can seem counter intuitive and full of mom guilt, make sure to find time for your own growth, because it ultimately will make you a better parent, a better partner and a happier person.

Finding that time for own growth, for nurturing our own identities can mean so many things and at different times in our lives can be more or less involved.  I am not unrealistic, I mean I have three wee ones and so right now there is certainly no time for taking an oil painting class at the MET or learning how to cook French cuisine. There are, however, ways to find time in your day for yourself even if it’s only a few minutes. Sometimes a mini-facial in the bathroom or 5 minutes of quiet mediation or 30 minutes reading a good book is all it takes.

For me, I’m a stickler for schedules so each evening all the kids are asleep by 7pm and my husband and I have time together for conversation and for each other.  I also make time to read, even while pumping, to exercise my mind and make me a little more creative.

What I am saying is there are ways, even when time doesn’t seem like a luxury you have.  And let’s be honest sometimes, just locking myself in the bathroom for 10 mins to eat some wheat thins while drinking  a Diet Coke (an amazing combo) while my hubby is with the kids, feels like all the self-enriching I need or can take for the day.

So don’t make taking some time for yourself another thing for that ever growing “To-Do” list.  Instead try and make it a reprieve, a rest, a place for yourself to go to when you need your own little Mommy time out.  I’d love to hear your ideas on how you find a little time for yourself. Please share here or on Facebook and Twitter.

Tags: pregnant in heels, rosie pope