"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
It seems like everyone tends to think of New Year's Day as a time to start afresh, set new goals and rethink life in general to try to make it better than the previous year. As moms, I think a lot of us tend to have this type of attitude every day (at least I know I do!)...."TODAY is the day I won't lose my patience so quickly; TODAY I'm going to get up, shower and do my devotions before my kids awake; TODAY is the day I will be a better mom!"...and on and on. This definitely can be a good attitude to have, although it can also quickly lead down the vicious path of "I'm not good enough" accompanied by feelings of frustration, comparing yourself to others and overall discouragement.
That being said, January's theme for MOPS this year was "Relax and Rejuvenate" - the goal being to get moms to slow down and refuel physically, emotionally and spiritually as 2010 begins - something moms are rarely told and even more rarely do! At the second meeting, Marg led us in a fantastic "Mentoring Moms Moment" specifically on this very topic and here are some of the main points from her talk:
~you don't have to be SuperMom - there are other people in your life (husband, grandparents, friends) who can help care for your children - let them!
~take care of yourself so you can take care of your children (like in an airplane when you need to put on your oxygen mask first to be able to put on your child's mask)
~start your day right - shower, exercise, eat well, pray
~read a good book or start a hobby that you can "get lost in" every once in awhile
~develop relationships with other moms (like at MOPS!) that are in a similar situation as yourself so you can empathize with each other
~learn to laugh through life and it will get you through many things
~stop trying to be perfect and don't feel guilty that you aren't
~take time to pray and rest with God - He is our great comforter and is with us in all things!
~remember that whatever you are going through - "this too shall pass"
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Here also are a few pictures from our relaxing January meetings where the bulk of our time as spent making smoothies, getting massages (from a professional woman in our church!), making bath salts and just spending lots of quality time catching up with each other!
Here also are a few pictures from our relaxing January meetings where the bulk of our time as spent making smoothies, getting massages (from a professional woman in our church!), making bath salts and just spending lots of quality time catching up with each other!
