More Than A Mom

Mommies, do you ever think that people don't appreciate that in addition to mom you are also a woman?  In the privacy of your thoughts do you ever wonder how you ended up being "Mom" and not Jennifer, or Linda, or (insert your own name here)?  Don't fret, you are not alone.  While stay-at-home Mommy-hood, is a wonderful experience it's okay to step out of the "Mommy" role and back into the "Woman" role once in a while.

Lots of moms spend all day cooking, cleaning, taking care of the babies, carpooling to dentist and doctor appointments, and then at the end of the day drop into bed feeling like that's all people see them as - Mom, maid, chef, and chauffeur.  But once upon a time maybe you were a CEO of a big company who liked to take ballroom dancing lessons and go rock climbing in your spare time.  Does anybody even mention that anymore?  When was the last time you even listened to a tango (instead of Barney) let alone danced one?  And what ever happened to all that climbing equipment because you know the attic is packed with baby stuff now?

Well, the time has come to remember the woman you were before baby came along.  Don't feel so guilty about wishing you were still that woman - you still can be, and still be the awesome mommy that you are!  So maybe rock climbing at the Grand Canyon is a little too much risk now that you have a child that depends on you, but there are plenty of other ways to get back into the hobbies you used to pursue. 

*Lots of gyms (for example the YMCA) have a rock-climbing wall; and bonus! - lots of gyms now have free childcare for their members so you can take the kiddies with you and let them get a glimpse of some new scenery.

*Sign up for a weekly ballroom dance class and have grandma and grandpa baby-sit for that hour every week for some special bonding time.

*Once or twice a year plan a girls' getaway weekend with your friends and visit some points of interest like Graceland if you're an Elvis fan, New York City if you're a fashionista, or Hollywood for the movie buffs.

*Or, if you just used to enjoy reading a good book uninterrupted, head out to the library a couple evenings a month and find a comfy chair and relax while Dad takes care of bedtime at home.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that doing for yourself is just as important as doing for your children; because a happy mommy is a excellent mommy!