Once I heard that a large number of children is considered a lot. Now I understand. You add another child and you think, “Oh man, it was much easier with one!” It’s likely that this continues as you add more children to your family. Veteran moms, you tell me.
Life is busy right now, and I am sure it is for everyone, whether you have kids or not. It’s full in a great, but demanding way. Early on, I realized that in order to thrive and function with a busy schedule, I had to prioritize my needs to be able to care for others. I am waking up earlier and packing in more into my day than ever before. I also feel better mentally and physically. Do I dare say that I feel in my prime?
I love this stage of life but I know I could fall prey to its madness if I didn’t do a few things which keep me healthy, sane and on track. These are my daily habits that keep me going.
Prioritize sleeping. Sleep is more important to me than food. Even though I am sometimes tempted by staying up later to finish a task or just to watch a show, I will regret it the next morning. 7-8 hours does me right. If I don’t get the sleep I want, for example, if my baby has teething problems, I might sneak in a power nap or force myself to go to bed earlier the next day. I would sometimes go to sleep at 8:00 when Kailtyn first arrived. I have no shame. What my emotions do when I don’t get enough sleep isn’t pretty.
I’ve long since let go of the idea that perfection is possible. But I do know that my mood is affected by food. It’s ideal to load up on fresh vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats. I also prepare food in advance of the week, and eat the meal with real utensils. But, sometimes, I just don’t have the time. I focus on doing my best. It’s true that I post beautiful food photos on Instagram. But no one wants to see the pizza leftovers I had for breakfast, or the peanut butter spoonful I took from the jar as I chased a 9-month-old up the stairs.