So instead of doing another book review I've decided to write something about my latest adventures in Mommy-hood.
Lately Rosalind hasn't wanted to sleep during the day, which has caused me more than a little screaming into a pillow and tears. I usually work when she's sleeping, so the fact that she'll sleep for perhaps a half hour in her crib and then wants to to be held or played with has caused me a bit of stress. I don't mind cuddling with her, I love it. Especially when she rubs her face in my chest and then settles in with such a content look on her face. So precious!
Or when she plops her tea pot in my lap or a book and looks up at me expectantly. I love those times with her.
But, I also need to work. And it's been hard to find the time when she's awake because she loves trying to pull my laptop off my lap and look at the screen saver and wallpaper. Short of putting on "Micky Mouse Clubhouse" I can't get her to leave it alone, and I really hate setting her in front of the TV for hours.
So, yesterday I was planning on doing some much needed Yoga during her morning nap and then work during her afternoon nap. We got all settled in, she fell asleep almost right away but as soon as I stood to set her in the crib her beautiful blue eyes popped open and she smiled as if to say "Well, that was great mom thanks, now it's time to play!"
I tried to get her back to sleep, but to avail.
And instead of going in my bedroom to scream out my frustration into the pillow or call my husband in frustrated tears, I took her downstairs, gave her a snack and turned on my Bollywood Dance workout DVD. Within about ten minutes I was actually smiling, my stress and tension was gone and I was relaxed; with the exception of the usual things happening with physical exertion. Rosalind played around me and even did her version of dancing while I did mine; which granted looks like an epileptic chicken but hey, at least I have fun while doing it.
So, the lesson here?
Well, for me it is that next time this happens, or maybe when she decides that her lunch looks far better thrown against my wall, or when she wants my laptop for her own uses and my temper has reached the boiling point, I stop, get up and move. Turn on the Xbox Kinect and do Dance Central for fifteen minutes, or a little Bollywood dance, or some quick Yoga stretches. Change the scene, so to speak, and get moving. Exercise in general does release feel good hormones, but I think the right kind of exercise does it quicker and you actually feel like you're having fun.
What's the right kind? For me it's dance related or Yoga; sometimes a good long walk. For you it may be running, or jumping on a mini-trampoline for ten minutes or vacuuming your floor. It's personal and I don't think you need to be a mom to need this kind of de-stressing. We all need it and it's healthy. So next time you're ready to just lose it in a nuclear fashion, try just doing your feel good exercise for even ten minutes, it'll change your mood and make you a lot healthier in the process.
From the wonderful, difficult, adventurous mommy trenches, I'll say "Good-bye" until next time.
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