How to Ensure that Moms Get to Rest

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Rest is physically required in order that we can function at an optimum level. But it is often the last thing on our To-Do list. As mothers, we are all guilty of neglecting this aspect of our lives. We think everything rests on our shoulders and therefore we must push on and ignore our need for rest. Guilty!!! 🙁

Examples of this include :

• waking up earlier than the rest of the family or staying up when everyone else has gone to bed.
• doing all the household chores yourself when the children can be of help.
• jumping up to volunteer either at Church or at your homeschool group co-op when you are already physically exhausted because, you know, who else can help? 😛

I am not saying do not wake up earlier if that helps you get a better grip on the day’s proceedings. Or do not volunteer. But be mindful of your body’s need for rest.

I am very guilty of staying up late because I like the solitude and quiet of the house at that time of the night. And somehow, staying up late does not interfere with the children’s sleep. But waking up early does!

There are physical and emotional consequences of not getting an adequate amount of sleep.

Physical – our adrenal glands become depleted. We need more and more coffee/stimulants to stay awake. Or we snack throughout the day, needing the sugar rush to push us on. Our thyroid glands malfunction – producing too much or too little. We start developing allergies, digestive issues, fall sick more often and take longer to recover.

Emotional – we snap at our children and husband at the slightest provocation. We feel depressed, unworthy, lousy, overwhelmed.

So how are we to ensure that we get adequate enough amount of rest? I think there are certain things we can do to help ourselves be more efficient and therefore get the rest we need. Probably not in long stretches but in snatches here and there. Power naps have been a lifesaver for me, even now when my “baby” is already 4.5 years old. By the way, she does not nap and hasn’t for about a year already! But I sure need mine!

SEASONS of LIFE

There are certain seasons of our lives that will require us to survive on little amounts of sleep. Eg. newborn in the house, sick family members, school planning, visitors in town, etc. These seasons are normal and part and parcel of being a mom. But we strive to return to “normal” routines as quickly as possible. If however, these seasons turn into a long term situation, then a solution needs to found so that you can get the rest you need.

Meanwhile, work around those situations. Establish new routines so that mom gets to rest as much as possible. Outside help may be enlisted, if necessary.

It will pass. And if it doesn’t then make new routines. Make that a new normal. But get the rest you need.

HOUSEWORK/CHORES

First of all, lower your expectations. The windows do not need to be wiped weekly! Cut corners. Look for time saving gadgets. They are worthwhile investments!

When the children are young, teach them to help. The biggest visual mess comes from toys strewn everywhere.

• Teach them to pack away what they have played with before taking out another toy.
• Pack up 2x/day. Before meal times and definitely before bedtime.
• Cut down the number of toys they own. The less toys they have, the less they have to pack up (less overwhelming to them) and the less you have to nag them to pack up.
• Declutter regularly. Yearly at the very least. 6 monthly if possible. This includes clothes, toys, books, kitchen gadgets.

MEALS

Unfortunately we have to eat at least 2x/day. Think of ways to make meal preparation easier/faster.

• Do Menu Planning
• Cut down the amount of dishes served. Do you really need 3 dishes and a soup daily?
• Practice Once a Month Cooking
• Cooking double/triple batches. Eat one batch, freeze the others.
• Do all meal preparation (cutting/marinating/etc) on days when husband can be around to occupy/care for the children
• Enlist help of older children
• Do not allow non-stop snacking.
• Eat only at designated places, preferably in the kitchen or dining area. This way no crumbs or sticky floors all over the house.

TEACH INDEPENDENCE

From a young age, start teaching the children to be independent. They can learn to :

• dress themselves
• put away their dirty clothes into the laundry basket
• put away clean clothes into the wardrobe
• put away dirty plates into the sink
• wash their own plates and cups
• use a hand held vacuum cleaner (helpful for crumbs and spilt pencil shavings!)

DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO REST

If my husband were reading this he would be laughing his head off on this one. This is the most difficult part for me. I know I feel better when I am rested but I tend to push and push myself. Resulting in me feeling awful the next day and snapping at everyone.

If you have had a night of interrupted sleep, take a nap. Just for 15 min or 30min.

Negotiate with your husband to let you nap longer or sleep in over the weekends. Don’t feel guilty that you need it. You are not a machine.

In general, set up a time for yourself to just stop what you are doing and go to bed. There are always things that need to be done. As mothers, our work never ends and I am not exaggerating.

Remember, you are not Atlas, you are not holding up the world on your shoulders 😀 And remember – do what you can and rest in the Lord. Because as mothers, our work is never done!

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