What exactly does that mean? I mean, I know what it means, but how does one really do that? Especially when one has a family that also requires taking care of. I know it is important. I know what I feel like and what my household feels like when I am taking care of me, at least in part, and I know what I and my household feels like when I am not taking care of me. A lot like these past few days. But really. Taking care of oneself requires three things, sleeping well, eating well, and exercising. Easy, right? Taking care of ones family requires many, many, more complex things. Often things that are not in direct agreement with taking care of oneself. So then you have to start the balancing act.

Exercise is important. I know that. But exercising means ignoring my daughter, which lead to irritating behaviors on her part. If I spend the morning paying attention to her (and perhaps sneaking in some much needed floor sweeping or laundry folding) then I will have good behavior from her all day. That will make me feel good. Or I can exercise, which I know is good for me and is considered taking care of oneself, but then I’ll have to deal with an annoying daughter all day. Where is the balance?

Eating well is a good thing, I know. Eating well, however, takes a lot of prep work. You need to procure fresh fruits and veggies, you need to wash them and prepare them in a timely fashion. You generally need to serve them prepared (with some exceptions, of course). All of which takes time. I don’t cook dinner most nights because when I do it takes a significant chunk of time, which in and of itself wouldn’t be so bad, but when you add it to the other things that have to get done in a day, I find I run out of time. Once again my kids are ignored and sometimes thats ok, but sometimes they fight and I yell, and we all would be happier if I’d just served pb&j for dinner. To everyone. That’s not healthy eating, but is it taking care of oneself?

Sleep. Ahh… elusive sleep. We have friends who just had a new baby, with a 20mo old son as well. They were lamenting their lack of sleep. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them that it gets better, but only a little. At least at 5 and 7. Perhaps when the kids are older, or moved out, or married. We’ll see. Right now there are never enough hours in the day. I get the kids in bed and Alan is ready for me to sit down and be with him. However, I still need to clean up the kitchen and fold laundry. By then it’s already past an “early bedtime” time, and that doesn’t include any relaxing for me. So much for taking care of oneself. However, I know that my morning will be better if the kitchen is cleaned up at night and the laundry is done. So maybe that is taking care of myself?

I think this is the fine line we’re walking on this path of modern-day motherhood. A little for me, a lot for the family, and hold tight to the knowledge that the best way to take care of oneself is to have a happy family and a smooth day. If that makes any sense.

That’s my ramblings for the evening, unproofread and unedited. Hubby is home now so I’m off to clean the kitchen and fold some laundry. :) Tomorrow is another day.