Here Comes the Sun
Posted by Blair Bailey in Health on Friday, February 26, 2010 6:00 AM
I’ve heard many people say that February is a gloomy time for many moms. In my case, I started the “January Jitters” before this “February Funk” but am still longing to get out of these winter blues.
For some of us, we’re exhausted from homeschooling, for others the new year’s work load may be dragging us down, while other moms are drearily trudging through the daily carpool activities.
One thing for sure, spring is right around the corner! So to get us from here to there, without burying ourselves in these trenches, how can we jump out to enjoy life a little more?
Change it up! Maybe our daily schedules need some updating. Maybe a room in our house needs a fresh coat of paint. A visit to the thrift store might find us with a fun new print to hang on the wall, or some curtains to brighten a window. Adding a routine of a weekday mass or morning prayer could do wonders for our psyche.
Get out of the house. Last week we went on a last-minute trip to the zoo. I was amazed at how a normal Monday turned into such an exciting day for the kids and me. It can take some effort to leave the house, especially for those in frigid climates, but it might be just what you and your kids need to relieve some of that winter cabin fever.
Exercise. Exercise nearly always lifts my spirits. But making time to exercise is hard when you’re a busy mom! There was a season last year when my husband was home a lot and exercise was a welcome relief from the stresses we faced with unemployment. Now his long work hours don’t afford me the opportunity to sneak out to the gym very often. I need to make it a point to figure out a way around this, either by utilizing the “dreaded” gym childcare, or trading off kids with a friend.
Call a friend. Speaking of friends, when I’m having those rough days a call to a sympathetic friend nearly always helps me through. Don’t be afraid to admit that you are struggling. Other moms have experienced or are experiencing these winter blues too, and are glad to lend an ear when you feel like you can’t make it through the afternoon.
Do something for others. My children always enjoy making Valentine cards for nursing home residents. Cooking a meal for a family recovering from illness or childbirth can help put things into perspective. Maybe we could just write love notes for our own family members, or send an email to a friend who has been on our mind. I think we always receive more than we give when that extra effort is made to brighten someone else’s day!
It is helpful to remember that we are not alone in this battle of motherhood. We may feel like we’re stuck in the trenches, but we’re here with an army of other moms who are also trying to make it through each day. Facing new hurdles can be daunting when we feel the blues, but we should take them in baby steps as they come … One load of laundry done, one homework assignment completed, one dinner at a time.
How about you? What helps you make it through those toughest of days?
—Blair Bailey is a Catholic wife and homeschooling mother of three who writes from Texas. She chronicles her family life at Blair’s Blessings.
Print Blog
Email a FriendPost a Comment
By submitting this form, you give Faith And Family Magazine permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.
