So, what do you do to take care of yourself on a daily basis?

[Osmosis Mom]

Just wondering.

 

For me, with five noisy kids at home and a cute (but socially demanding baby) I need quiet time at early evening. We finish dinner by 5.30-ish and as soon as I see the baby being just slightly sleepy (some time after 6.15 or later), then I gladly run to my bedroom and shut my door, usually for the night....I might come out to check on my twin girls, but mostly I just read and think and cherish the almost quiet in my room...

 

 

During the daytime while schooling a hot cup of Ghiradelli cocoa seems to do the trick!!

[Peela]

Get up first in the morning and walk, do chi kung, and/or meditate. Or sometimes, just check my email :) I really like some time alone before having to talk to anyone in the mornings, even though I am a morning person.

 

Have a cup of tea first thing. LOVE that first cup of tea.

 

Have a spa (outdoors) with dh twice a day.

 

Have an afternoon nap or at least rest time, most afternoons.

 

Evenings I again get space because dh works evenings and the kids- no, now they are both teens, boohoo (ds is 13 today) do their own thing. Sometimes we watch a movie but mostly we read and do email and by 8 or 9 o clock I am alone. I like alone :)

[Paisley Hedgehog]

nm

[imeverywoman]

to me and do everything possible to get me there. :)

[mrsdash]

Me too- the kids know that I HAVE to work out to keep sane. I do 40 or so min. of Pilates or weights and that's my alone time. I also need an hour alone (with dh) before bed.

[Quiver0f10]

I have quiet time first thing in the morning with a cup of green tea. Then while the kids are doing their morning chores I walk for 45 minutes. The rest of the day is chaos so I really enjoy my morning routine. :)

[lynn]

I run/walk for hour first thing in the morning and sometimes in the late afternoon. Tuesdays I have 4 hrs to myself and I usually grab a starbucks and browse the mall, rent a movie, pick up some lunch and just go home and enjoy the movie or read, or I treat myself to breakfast or lunch and bring along a book. The next few tuesdays I will be Christmas shopping. Sunday afternoon dh watches the kids and I go do whatever it is I want.

[Ellie]

Early bedtimes for the dc ;-)

 

By the time they outgrew the early bedtimes, they were old enough for me to go grocery shopping or do other errands alone during the day (when they were younger, I did grocery shopping alone while dh was home--still alone time for me).

 

I also took fun classes in the evening once in awhile--clogging, or sign language--while dh was home to have parent duty.

[Jane in NC]

I am out the door at 7 AM to walk (and solve the world's problems) with a friend. This is the impetus that I need to get moving early and have my day organized.

 

Granted, life is easier for me with just one child, an 11th grader who spends two days a week at the CC. My sanity was maintained in earlier years by a post lunch Internet break, accompanied by a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate.

 

Amazing what I can do when chocolate enters the equation. ;)

 

Jane

[Jennifer3141]

I do Bikram yoga at least twice a week.

 

A friend and I sneak out and let the Daddies do the bedtime ritual about once a week so we can go to our favorite tea bar.

 

And I have a collection of teeny booklights so I can snuggle in bed with everyone but keep reading long past their sleep times.

 

DH and I try to go out alone 2-3 times a month for dates and NOT discuss the children.

 

Jen

[homeschoolmomtutu]

I work out 4 mornings or afternoons a week (mine are old enough they go to the gym with me)...I also love my tea, my reading time, baking and my monthly pedicures:)

[Parrothead]

I come here, read the on-line news, play internet backgammon or other games to either wake up, relax or just veg. It really releases any stress that I have accumulated during the day.

 

I've also started walking each evening. I'll go anywhere from 1-5 miles a day.

[WTMindy]

I get up early (even though I'm not naturally a morning person) and exercise and have some quiet time to start the day. Dh is very great and basically does stuff with the kids every evening after dinner so I have some time in the evenings to do whatever.

[Tammyla]

Morning tea and the paper and in the evening a hot bath followed by reading in bed.

 

And after our lessens each day, I try to talk with my mom on the phone.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Tammyla

[Cricket]

About every other night I get a long bath. I'm considering joining tae kwon do two nights a week. That might happen after the holidays are over.

[tricia]

I have to have my hour long walk in the woods. Fortunately I can pretty much go whenever I feel like it since I have 'live in' baby sitters.:001_smile:

[HRAAB]

Quiet time in the morning spiritual reading and prayers with a cup of coffee - this is usually about 5:30 am after dh leaves for work. I check the message board here while I eat breakfast about 8:00. Again at noon. Dh and I take a walk in the evening. I try to get on the exercise bike while the kids are outside playing. I usually stay up a little later to read.

 

It's much, much easier now that my youngest are 8. I did the same when they were little but there was usually a baby in my lap or a toddler on the floor.

 

Oh, and I try to take vitamins every morning when I remember!

 

Janet

[1bassoon]

Not enough. :001_huh:

 

I've been struggling with this - a lot - lately. I used to be in a good groove, with exercise and quiet time in the morning, but since our life blew up about 15 months ago (unemployment, then dh living out of state to work) I have done. nothing. And it's evident.

 

I know that exercise will help me feel better. I do know that. But most mornings I just can't drag myself out of bed.

 

Sorry! Whine over ;)