Bold title huh? Yes i know! But that’s a sentence my 4 kids hear three times a day, every single day. I make it a point to tell people all the time, wherever i go that i love my job. I’ve worked at the same place for 8 years, and i can’t imagine doing anything except what i know for sure is the best job on the planet. Oh my gosh what do you do? Is the question i hear so often when in line at the grocery store making small talk with the person behind me. I hold my head high, puff up my chest and proudly declare, I’M A MOMMY!!! What follows next is usually “Awwww how many kids do you have”, or “Oh wow you must never get a break” To which i reply with “Oh you’d be quite surprised that i manage to take two 10 minute breaks, and a 30 minute lunch everyday”. Yes you read right Titus 2 Women, I take 3 breaks a day, and if you’re not doing the same I’d advise you to start TODAY! It will enhance your life, and you will mother better! I’ve mentioned before that i have the best husband on planet Earth that truly appreciates and understands how much actual work i do on a daily basis in our home with our four loves. Early on into my career as a “professional mommy” as one of my dearest friends so affectionately calls me, my husband Erick encouraged me to rest, and relax during the day. He also reminded me that by law his job makes him take breaks during the day so that in the long run he is more productive, and i should have the same right by the law of the Castelin land. Now in the early years, I’d hear nothing of it. I wanted to do as much as i possible could and maximize every waking moment during the day. While that was successful, and i ran a organized home, that was always tidy (and still is now) the enemy started to plant seeds of resentment in mind, i started to feel burnt out and i even began to believe that i wasn’t deserving of a break because after all, I’m a mother. Mother’s don’t need breaks. They certainly don’t take breaks, and if they do take them they must not be good mothers. Its tragic to think how many mommies around the globe have had their minds twisted by the adversary and actually believe they are unworthy of a break, despite doing the most physically and emotionally taxing job on Earth. Mark 6:31 reads;
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.
Now, I’m in no way comparing myself to Jesus after feeding the 5000, but i can say after making food, and feeding 4 hungry kids lunch, I myself am pretty tired LOL! After studying the scriptures i noticed a common theme… God actually ENCOURAGES rest! That was breaking news to me, and i had to repent. Not just because i failed to listen to my husbands instruction, but because God Himself encourages us to rest, and to rest often. If God can see the value in the refreshment that comes after taking a pause, they why couldn’t I? I am not God, and i should not try to be. It didn’t take long for me to implement my three breaks a day rule. Here’s how it works: I have a digital kitchen timer that stays on the fridge, we use it for EVERYTHING! In the morning after we’ve had breakfast, finished school drop off, and I’ve made a few phone calls or done some house work i set my timer for 10 minutes. I let the munchkins know that I’m about to go on a break, and ask if they need anything before i do. After all, they are the bosses 🙂 They know not to bother me during those 10 minutes unless someone is bleeding or throwing up, and i always stay where i can still see and hear everyone. I use the timer instead of just simply keeping track on my phone, so that the kids will hear and know when mommy’s break time has ended. During those 10 minutes i browse Facebook, Instagram, and sometimes even eat a light snack like apple slices and drink some water. Its like my own teeny, tiny mini vacation. I always feel like i can ease through the rest of the day after my break. I repeat that process in the late afternoon before i start prepping dinner and after I’ve gone through the school pick up line. I remind them that mommy has done a lot of work this afternoon and a break would make me feel better. Refrain from calling it a “mommy timeout” you are not in trouble. Quite the opposite actually, its a reward for your efforts. By explaining your need for a break to your children, they will value all the work you do in the home so much more. Also, they won’t think that all the laundry folding, vegetable chopping, and floor mopping is effortless. It does take effort. Effort that is noticed by God, and your husband , It should be noticed and appreciated by your children. Ladies don’t allow the enemy to rip away one of the things you need most.. REST. Do what is best for not just yourself, but for your husband and children. It may feel as though someone is laying on the fast forward button, so i encourage you to hit the pause button in the middle of the day. Its been proven that companies that treat their employees well, and show their appreciation in small ways often don’t have as high of a turnover rate as those that don’t recognize the efforts of their employees. Now you obviously can’t go “work” or a different family, but the burnt out feeling you have in your own home will go away. Ladies, clock out and take a break. You most certainly deserve it, and your Heavenly Father encourages you to.
My Titus 2 life 