High Maintenance Mom

I remind myself several times a week to slow down and sometimes, several times a day! But it is really a good idea in our overly rushed and activity driven world to just.....stop. After my first child was born I was coming right off a full time job, a full time career. I worked 10 hours a day and 6 days a week and enjoyed my busy, crazy life. It took me over 4 months to come down from that "high" and really focus on my new baby and the slow pace of life..... The pace picked up again recently when my second child was walking, talking and both kids were more independent. I started doing more things for myself again-too many things. But I saw a change in my kids as I grew busier and more rushed. It wasn't a good change it was a frustration. It didn't take me very long to see that my new projects were putting me back in my rushed state and rubbing off on my kids. I had recently read a few interesting articles on breathing and how most people take just a handful of relaxing, healthful deep breaths a day. I dug a bit deeper and decided my upcoming flight would be an excellent time to try out these breathing techniques. Check out www.stress-relief-exercises.com for some techniques. I told my husband I would be trying this on the flight so he could help with the kids and not think I was ignoring him/them. It helped a great deal. I continued the exercises several times a day; first thing in the morning, sitting in traffic, reading, waiting in lines and before bed. I enjoy it! Kids look to their parents to learn how to act outwardly, we all know that. But they also look to us for how to "act" internally. They learn to be calm by watching us be calm, not rushed and overly anxious. I can be all of those things so I have made a real effort to slow it down, calm down and not overreact. Take a look at your routine and see if it could use some deep breathing exercises.