Taking Care of Me

So I actually took a sick day. That, as you probably know, is very hard for a mom to do. But I do have a husband who works at home so he was around to keep an eye on the kids. He shuttled Janessa to preschool and built a snowman with her and Andy after school. He even ran some errands for me. Cameron was sick too and he slept from 10:30 to 4:30 with me--poor little guy.
(Yes, I had another bad headache. --I have seen a doctor about my headaches and am taking a med to prevent them. He prescribed a painkiller but it costs $194!!! so I passed on it. I did get a few free samples though).

I have learned through experience and counseling that in order to be able to function as a Mom, or whatever else you may need to function as, you have to take care of yourself. So I did that yesterday, even though it was and is hard not to feel 'guilty' about it. Everyone did fine without me.

And taking care of yourself means more than just physically. Emotionally, mentally, socially, spiritually--all those areas.
One thing Scott and I did for me was that I used to have Tuesday nights off. It was great. I would go to the library, catch a movie, hide downstairs and sew, get a yogurt with a friend. Whatever I wanted that didn't involve being a mom. We stopped doing this after we bought the business. Things got more hectic and stuff got in the way. But the kids are older now, and I have other things to compensate for Tuesday nights. Just the fact that Janessa is in preschool three afternoons a week while Cameron takes a nap is enough. And I even have freedom to leave the house then because Scott is home to "tend" the sleeping child.

I wrote a poem a few years ago about this subject. So I guess I will be brave and post it here.

Take Care of Me

Take Care of MeAs a tiny new baby
I knew how to cry
And somebody would come
To take care of me.

Through childhood fun
And childhood tears,
With guidance from parents
I learned how
To take care of me.

Out on my own,
Independent and proud,
I could take care of this,
Take care of that,
While I take care of me.

Then a wife and a mother—
Take care of this,
Take care of that,
Take care of him,
Take care of her.
I forgot to find time
To take care of me.

More responsibilities,
Life’s frantic pace—
Take care of this,
Take care of that,
Take care of him,
Take care of her.
Somewhere I forgot how
To take care of me.

Doubt, darkness and fear,
Feeling alone,
Can’t take care of this,
Can’t take care of that,
Can’t take care of him,
Can’t take care of her
Because I didn’t
Take care of me.

Though the journey seems long
And sometimes too hard,
I am once again learning to
Take care of this,
Take care of that,
Take care of him,
Take care of her.
While I take care of me.

Happy and confident,
Fulfilled and content,
I can take care of this,
Take care of that,
Take care of him,
Take care of her
Because I remembered
To take care of me.