I am not proud of it, but it is reality.
A friend of mine wrote recently that she wasn't at her best "lately". I totally related to that post.
Ever since we started school, life has been pushing me. Things are busy. I have a lot on my plate. And I've started to wonder have I bit off more than I can chew?
I constantly remind myself "I cannot do it all!" Sometimes I yell it at myself! Seriously.
Whether it is the kids irritating me or my to do list yelling at me or the lack of rest I've given myself or the stress of family decisions we have to make, I have a hard time catching the meltdown before it occurs. So my face turns red, fire spews out of my mouth, my claws grab sweet little kids, and its over. I have failed...again!
So here's my list of things to do when you are seconds away from turning into an ugly-faced fire-breathing dragon.
1. Give yourself a time out. We do it to our kids when they can't think through a problem logically because they are so worked up. So why not do it for ourselves? Call a roomtime or plop those kids in front of the tv, and give yourself a breather!
2. Seek the LORD. When God is working on something with me, which is always, I usually am
3. Quit. I don't mean throw in the towel and walk out of the house and never return. Although walking out of the house to let out a scream, and then walk back in is completely normal...right?! What I do mean is you can stop whatever you are doing, and do something you will all enjoy. I mean sometimes, everyone needs a redirection at some point. If things are getting tense doing school, take a break. If kids are getting crazy inside, take a walk. Drive to the playground. Go get ice cream. Go to Target. Do something to change the moment and regain control of you and the kids.
4. Take a shower. I am not kidding here! Let's be real, there are days that I don't shower until nap time. I have been known to put the kids in their room or if Ed is home, my escape is a long hot shower. It is just a place for me to have peace and quiet. (Remember to lock the door...they will find you!) I usually have some of my best thoughts in the shower.
5. Talk it out. Sometimes I just need a debrief with my husband. He understands me more than anyone, and he can usually help me discern if I am just being tremendously selfish or in need of a break. I usually feel better after I talk it out, and I end up loving him more. Win - win.
6. GET AWAY! Ed and I survive on this method. Other than the Lord, the most practical thing we can do for each other is get away. Getting out of the house or sometimes, kicking them out of the house is the best way for me to get some mommy time. And when I am seconds from a meltdown, a usual culprit is that mommy hasn't had a break in a while. So my husband will tell me to leave. It probably has something to do with the fact that I am not pleasant to be around! I usually take off with my bible, journal, and computer, or I go shop. Ed will take a load of books or go do something outside or both. We both need our time. It makes us a better mommy and daddy, and husband and wife.
I don't expect all of these to apply to you, but hopefully they will help you the next time things start getting crazy. As moms, we all have our days. And we are going to have our meltdowns. That's okay. It's a tough job and no one has ever done it perfectly. We all need grace to get us through the really messy times because one thing I've learned is we can't do it on our own.
