Jan 11
18
Time Out?
I am a firm believer in Time Out. I think that it is a great idea to spend time with yourself, reflecting on what is happening all around you. This works best with older children. Because…
The Time Out I am speaking about is Mama’s Time Out. Karin’s blog gave some pointers for Relaxing as a mom. I wanted to share with you some important aspects of Mama’s Time Out.
I found when my children were younger, that sometimes, I just needed a few minutes to myself. So, I would tell my children that I was going into “time out” and I would go in my room and close the door. At first, they would ask me what I did wrong. But, then they realized that time out meant to leave mom alone. Give mom some space. And life would get better.
Below is a list of things you can try to create your own “time out” atmosphere. Be creative, try some different things so that it becomes your own experience.
1. Take a Deep Breath. Take a big (in the nose and out the mouth), slow breath. Then take a big breath and blow it out quickly. This helps you to relax.
2. Close Your Eyes. Closing your eyes helps your muscles to relax. A cold washcloth on top of your eyes helps you to feel even better.
3. Visualize a Peaceful Place. Where do you love to go and find peace? Take a few moments and picture, in your mind, how it looks, how it feels, how it smells, what you are doing and what you see. If you visualize yourself on the beach, imagine how it would feel to have the breeze blowing across your face.
4. Pay attention to your breathing. When our lives are filled with many things to do, we forget to breathe. Sometimes, we hold our breath without even knowing that we have stopped breathing. So, after you are more at peace, just pay attention to your breathing. Feel your chest as it goes up when you inhale and as it goes down as you exhale. Don’t try to choose the rhythm, just notice the natural rhythm of your breathing.
5. When you are finished, go and conquer the world. Now, that you have centered yourself, go back and conquer the tasks that are most important. In fact, before you leave your room, prioritize the rest of your day. Right before bed, go through the list of your accomplishments for the day and feel empowered to meet the next day.
Try the above steps. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes, and see if a “time out for Mom” would work for you. Remember: children’s safety is a priority. Find a safe and quiet activity for your children to participate in before you go into another room. With very young children, take a Mama time out while your children are taking a nap. Instead of hurrying to do all the chores on the list, take a few minutes to refuel yourself.
Empower yourself and your family by taking “Time Out.”
