 A
Note From Mary
 Dear
Fellow Mom,
You made it through the holidays! (Sometimes I
think if I can make it through Christmas, I can
make it through anything!) I’ve often joked that
if it weren’t for moms, there would be no
holidays. No decorations. No brightly wrapped
gifts. No special meals. No memorable
traditions. No stockings hung by the chimney
with care.
Behind every joke is a little truth. Most of the
women I’ve talked with have indicated that they
not only bear responsibility for daily
activities during the month of December, but thy
also bear responsibility for coordinating all
the additional requirements during the month,
whether it be standing in line at the toy store,
addressing holiday cards or making sure everyone
is dressed and ready to head to Grandma’s for
the holiday feast. (Oh, and mom has to remember
to have the pie ready to go as well!)
For me, The Mother Load, feels the heaviest
during December. That’s why I usually set aside
a morning or two in January to recuperate. It’s
something you can do for yourself, too.
If you have young children at home, ask a
relative if they’ll give you a morning off, or
trade babysitting with a friend. Mark it on your
calendar as an appointment with yourself—a time
that needs to be protected at all costs. Then,
decide how you’d like to spend this date with
yourself. I usually spend some time reading and
writing in my journal, then I treat myself to a
manicure and lunch out. I’m always amazed at how
soothing it is to get away from the demands of
little ones occasionally. It’s a great way to
start the year. Having this tiny oasis to look
forward to as I’m scurrying about, making yet
one more trip to the grocery store, keeps me
sane.
I’m certainly not advocating abandoning your
responsibilities as a mother on a regular basis.
I am suggesting that we need to invest in our
own care as much as we do our children’s. After
all, if you’re taking care of the kids, who’s
taking care of you? It’s an important question,
one you should be asking yourself on a regular
basis. Begin asking it right now, and you’ll
find that both you and your children benefit in
the New Year.
Strengthening families by encouraging moms,
Mary Byers
P.S. You were kind enough to share your e-mail
address with me at last year’s Hearts at Home
Conference, which is why you’re receiving this
e-mail. I’ll be speaking again this year and
hope to see you there! Registration is now open.
You can learn more by going to
http://www.hearts-at-home.org.
Also, if you have a mom friend who would be
encouraged by this e-mail, would you kindly
forward it to her? Thanks!
Read
more about lightening your load in Mary’s new
book!
 “I’ve
always wished I had a smart, kind mom living
next door who could give me advice, reassure me
that I’m not crazy, and help me to handle the
‘mother load.’ This book is the next best thing
to that mom next door. Mary Byers offers
friendly, practical advice on caring for
yourself while caring for others. She reassures
moms that it is not just okay to take care of
yourself, it’s essential, and she offers wise
and very practical counsel on just how to do
so.”
- Keri Wyatt Kent, author of
God’s Whisper in
a Mother’s Chaos and The Garden of the Soul
“Do you feel like you are carrying the mother
Over–load? Then take a break and refresh
yourself with this book. Mary’s suggestions for
meeting your needs will be like a drink of cool
water—a blessing to both you and your family!”
- Kendra Smiley, conference speaker and
author, Aaron’s Way: The Journey of a
Strong–Willed Child
Click here to read an excerpt
Click here to order your personal copy of The
Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs While
Caring for Your Family
Sanity
Saver:
Make a mental note of a couple of things you’d like
to do when time opens up in your schedule, that way you’ll
be prepared when a friend offers to take the children
for a morning or all your kids take a surprise nap—at
the same time! |
January 10, 2004
Lightening the Load
eZine published by Mary Byers, Author of
The Mother Load
Table of Contents
 |
A Note From Mary |
 |
Mary's New Book: The Mother
Load |
 |
Sanity Saver |
 |
Subscribe/ Unsubscribe |
|
