Over the weekend I had the wonderful privilege of going on a girl’s getaway with my mom and sisters. It couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. We escaped to celebrate my mom’s recent retirement and her birthday. It’s so refreshing to spend time with women who just get you and know you better than most, especially when you’re celebrating such happy milestones.
On the drive to start the weekend, I was contemplating rest and self-care. After a week with Evan out of town and 2 boys fighting colds and not sleeping much, I was really looking forward to a little break. I’m sure we’ve all heard how important self-care is, but it’s so hard to achieve the balance between doing all you need to do and still taking care of you without feeling bad about it. Just wanting a break from your own kids comes along with a certain degree of guilt.
It’s different than other breaks. If you’re burnt out at a job, you may be able to take a short vacation, or even extended time away. But it’s not the same with your kids. To a degree, you live and breathe being a parent. Right or wrong, you start to find your identity, at least part of it, in the things you do for your kids.
So as I headed to meet the girls, anxiously awaiting some R&R, I balanced my excitement with thoughts of how quickly the weekend would end and I’d be back to a routine of appointments, diaper changes and bedtime. I hesitate to even share those thoughts for fear that it comes off as whining. Believe me, I feel extremely lucky that my routine is what it is.
But instead of a weekend that flew by, I got to soak up moments of catching up with my family. We didn’t get in much of a hurry to do anything, but took our time enjoying simple pleasures and plenty of food! We even got a bonus hour because of daylight savings time! I think we were all a little sad to see the weekend end, but as I hurried back home with just a few minutes to spare before Gage’s next appointment, I couldn’t help feeling refreshed. There’s nothing better than walking in the door and seeing the boys faces light up with huge smiles.
The weekend away was a welcome break, and the refreshed feeling that carries over into returning home is even better. I won’t pretend to have things figured out when it comes to self-care, because it still seems pretty elusive to me. But I’m grateful for opportunities to get some rest now and then and I’ll keep taking advantage of them when I can.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30