Is it wrong to treat myself?

Book Club Wednesday

Many moms struggle with the concept of taking time for ourselves.  We feel guilty when we go out and get a hair cut or a pedicure.  We feel guilty if we go and see a movie.  We feel guilty if we talk to our friends on the phone.  Why do we do this to ourselves?

Many of us would swim the English Channel for our children and our spouse.  We are not only homemakers but we do so many things to make things run smoothly for our families.  I don't know about you, but by the time homeschool coop is over on Friday...I am FRIED!  I've taught school all week, cooked meals, drove to gymnastics, awana, bible study, mops, field trips, playdates.  I've given baths, wiped noses, changed diapers, cleaned toilets, taken out the garbage, raked leaves.  You name it...WE as moms do it!  So why do we feel guilty when we spend 45 minutes without the kids?

It is never ever wrong to treat ourselves.  We treat our kids to chocolate chip cookies, or ice cream after a long day, we treat our husbands to a back rub after a tiring day at work, we know everyone likes treats, but why do we not fully enjoy our own treats!?

And if you are like me a treat may be something as simple as:

* a soak in a bubble bath or the hot tub
* a manicure/pedicure
* date with my spouse
* girl time with a friend
* a hot cup of tea and a novel
* a hot cup of coffee and blogging time
* time to create our Christmas cards
* listening to Norah Jones CD

Three points that stood out to me in this chapter were:

1. Motherhood does NOT mean life is all about what I do for others and that I should never stop to think of the wonderful benefits of treating myself!

It is actually super important to treat ourselves because afterwards we are even more ready to pour into the lives of the people around us.  We become happier, our burdens may be lifted, we are more free to do our many tasks with joy!

2. The best kind of refreshment IS found when we go to the Lord and ask Him to fill us!

However, just as we enjoy giving our own children treats throughout the day (cookies here, a trip to the park, a prize) so does our heavenly Father enjoy watching us receive things that make us happy!

3. A TREAT does not bring lasting joy, but it sure can lighten a heavy moment of feeling drained.

Think about the little things that bring a smile to your face.  The itty bitty treats that bring joy in the moment.  A piece of chocolate, a favorite song on the radio, a bubble bath.  Whatever it is treat yourself to something and don't feel guilty about it!  Thank God for these little treats in your days and weeks that little things that can make you happy.

4. Have something to look forward to so that when things get tough there is a glimmer of hope of something special.

I did this all the time as a teacher.  If my students completed all their homework for 5 full days we would have a pajama day or a bagel breakfast.  If we read a novel in reading class that we all enjoyed we would close the lesson/chapter with a movie and popcorn day.  These little things became big things.  These are the things that my 3rd and 4th graders remember looking back on their Elementary years.

As a mom, I look forward to homeschool coop days because it is a teaching free day and I get to be with other moms for a few hours.  My kids love it because they learn from all different teachers and socialize with their new friends.  As a mom, I also look forward to family dates when we take the kids to the movies, or when we go shoe shopping.  Anything that is different than our normal Monday to Friday schedule becomes a treat.  And we all look forward to it!

John has had this big CFP exam this weekend.  We promised the kids, after Daddy's test on Saturday we are going to have a family day.  We are taking them to the movies and out to dinner.  After all of Daddy's hard work and sacrifice and studying we want to celebrate togetherness.  And let me tell you I can't wait for Sunday Family Day.  It is going to be a real treat!

It is never wrong to treat yourself.  God has blessed all of us in this life and He wants us to take time out to enjoy the moments.  Life is too short not to take time to celebrate and enjoy the blessings.