Jenifer Metzger : For the Stay At Home Mom

My life is completely centered around children. I have four children. I stay home with them and homeschool all four them which means I am with them all day long. When I run errands, my kids are right there. At church, my husband and I are children's pastors so I am with kids at church. Everywhere I go and everything I do, I am with kids. And I truly love it!

I love all kids with every fiber of my being, especially my four blessings. All I ever wanted was to be a mommy and be surrounded by children. I am so very grateful to God for allowing me to follow this dream.

But sometimes I just need a break.

There are days when I feel like I just need a moment to breathe, alone. Do you ever feel like you just need a moment? It's okay. It does not make you a bad mom. It does not make you selfish. It makes you normal. We love our children and would lay down our lives for them without even batting an eye. But we need time too.

With spa days out of the question for many of us for various reasons, how does a mom get a few minutes alone?

A note for the stay at home mom. #sahm #stayathomemom #parenting #motherhood

Wake up a earlier. I know, I know, you are too tired to get up any earlier. Believe me, I totally get that. Not only are we tired moms, but I am so not a morning person! Yet, those quiet moments in the stillness of the morning, while the kids and dogs sleep, oh bless my heart, those are such precious moments for me. I have an hour to sit in my chair, read my Bible, listen to worship music and just be there, me and Jesus.
Quiet time. When my kids were little, we had quiet time. This was actually their nap time, but they disliked the word nap. Once they were too old to actually sleep midday, we still had quiet time. For one hour after lunch they had to lay in their bed or in the living room. They have the option to either read a book or just lay there. Or for my boys who dislike reading, they would build legos or race cars on their pillows as the lay there. We still do this sometimes. That hour of quiet is a wonderful for me to catch up on housework without playing teacher or referee. And sometimes, it is nice to sit there with them and read along side them.
Before bed reading. For many, like my husband, tv is a way to relax and wind down. I hate tv. But after tucking the kids in for the night and shutting the house down, I love to lay in my bed with only the lamp on and read. Sometimes it's a devotional and sometimes it's fiction. This quietness of the night relaxes me.
Swap babysitting. If you prefer to go to the grocery store without kids, find a fellow mom and once a week watch each other's kids for two hours, giving each other enough time to get groceries in peace and quiet.
Date night. Date night is not only healthy for the marriage, but it will bless you as a mama. Take a regular date night, once a week or at least once a month. Even if all you and your husband do is walk around a park hand in hand. The time away to connect with your husband is vital.
Grace. Give yourself grace. If you need a timeout, it's okay, take it. If the dishes seem too stressful to tackle right now, it's okay, the will wait. If the kids are vying for your attention and driving you crazy, stop and do something fun with them. It's okay.