This is a topic that is well known to every mother, but yet so elusive and luxurious that it seems almost unrealistic. Finding the research to prove why moms need an “MTO” is easy. Here are some articles I found to help us identify the reasons why we need them, and the benefits of taking a time-out. Click on the article title which will send you to the website.
Common Causes of Stress for Mothers- About Health Sep, 2012
According to this article, these are the most common causes of stress for moms:
- Time demands
- Finances
- Relationship demands
- Protective instincts
- Self doubt
- Lack of time alone
Time out for moms: How to reduce stress- Examiner.com Mar, 2009
Listed below are some emotional and physical warning signs of stress.
Emotional warning signs include:
• Mood Swings
• Insomnia
• Sadness
• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive worry
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Overeating
Physical warning signs include:
• Extreme fatigue
• Sweaty palms
• Poor posture
• Weight loss or gain
Techniques to reduce stress
• Go for a walk.
• Keep a positive attitude.
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive. “Assert” your feelings, instead of becoming angry, or combative.
• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit. (Run, Swim, etc.)
• Eat well-balanced meals.
• Take a long, relaxing bath.
• Relaxation to music. Take some time for yourself to enjoy your favorite music.
• Rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events
Excerpt from How to deal with mother’s guilt- Mia Redrick
• Get real. Understand that perfection and parenting is ridiculous. Accept that you will make mistakes and be honest with your children when you drop the ball.
• Stop judging yourself. Your best is good enough. Stop comparing your best to other classroom moms, working parents and neighborhood families. Live out your own story and stop attempting to star in someone else’s drama.
• Turn in your supermom cape. Acknowledge that love is the only requirement to becoming a supermom.
• Keep it positive. Focus on the positive things that you are doing. Instead of looking at what isn’t working with your parenting, ask yourself, “What am I doing right?” Ask your children the same question. Their answers might surprise you.
• Laugh. Learn to laugh at your flubs.
• Know that a little guilt makes you healthy. It means that you care about your family and the way that they experience you.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Sometimes we are our own worst critics. Breathe in and blow it out. Tomorrow is a new day.
• Create a supportive community for yourself. Consider joining in with a group of moms that are non-judgmental and supportive.
My personal recommendation: Invite some friends over, rent a movie and have some fun snacks. This movie seems like a perfect choice…
All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful,
grown-up evening of dinner and fun – a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation, and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours … what could go wrong? 2014
