5 Ways to Get a Break When You’re Surrounded by Kiddos
No matter how much we calm, center, and align, daily life can still get… overwhelming; there are days when I feel like I am swimming as hard as I can to stay afloat and am either extremely irritable or want to cry. This seems to happen at random times and monthly with my cycle, go figure. 🤷♀️
I don't want to break down or lash out in front of my kids all the time, but I realized that it’s a gift to show my kids that even when things are tough and I’m not myself, I have a choice in how I respond. 💪
So rather than lose it, (which I have definitely also done), I show them that I have the strength and resilience to get through it. This morning I told my kids, “gosh boys, I’m not feeling like myself today. In fact, I keep getting irritated and I can hear my voice getting sharper. So, noticing that I am more sensitive today, I need your help. Can we go outside and put on some good music? Can you give mommy a minute of quiet to just breathe?”
And you know what, my kids listened. They APPRECIATE that I let them in on how I’m feeling. I owned it. I figured out what I needed and I asked for help.
When you have the freedom to just take care of yourself and do what you need to do, you’ve got options. But when you have your kids around and can’t just take off, here are 6 things you can do IN the moment to shift your day:
Slow Down and Take some deep breaths
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Step outside and take in some sunshine
Put on some really fun music to just change it up and Shake it Out. I actually love Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” AND Florence + the Machine’s “Shake it Out.” Movement = Medicine! Movement + Music = Magical Medicine!
Leave the room (even go to the bathroom and shut the door), acknowledge the struggle and ask yourself, what I can do about it? What is available to me? What do I need? After figuring out what you need, then ask yourself how can I get that. Do you need quiet? Pull out a special puzzle or book the kids haven't seen in a while or play a long game of hide and seek, 😂. Do you need to move your body? Take the kids through a fun 7-minute circuit of exercises with jumping jacks, burpees, knee jumps, push-ups, and squats!
And here is a game-changer… Ask yourself, Can I Actually Take A Break? Can I ask someone to help me out, can I reschedule that meeting, can I just give my kids some kind of show so I can take care of myself?
Life is tough in normal circumstances. It is also tough now in Covid when our options are limited.
Allowing yourself to take a break, in front of your kids, is a sign of strength.
How can you support yourself?