We all want the very best for our children, but it’s impossible to do everything right all the time. Admitting that is freeing – and it’s also encouraging to other moms in the midst of intense seasons. That’s the idea behind our Monday Mom Confessions and we’d love for you to join us – share your own confession in the comments below! Let’s throw off the weight of perfection and get real around here!
The bedtime routine with little kids is exhausting. I can only write about the little ones but I imagine it doesn’t get much easier. Different but not necessarily easier.
I’m sure my battle will soon turn from a limit to how many books we read into the battle of if homework was actually completed. But, for now, my evening routine involves getting a two and five year old to go to sleep with minimal tears and excuses and hopefully two sets of brushed teeth. Seven nights a week times two kids equals my gray hair starting to kick in.
Remind me to make an appointment for a foil.
Moms, I have a confession.
I regularly miss bedtime twice a week. As in, I schedule two nights a week where I am not there at bedtime.
Gasp in disbelief and judge all you want but it’s the truth and I am not ashamed to admit it. I have shared before that working out is a priority in my life. Don’t get too judgy by thinking I mean it comes before things like God, my marriage or my kids. But it’s certainly high up on my priority list.
When I don’t work out I get cranky.
It’s a mandatory release and break for me as a mom, ok as a human. I arrive to work by 6am and there is no way I am attempting a 4am workout. So, my options are to work out in the evenings and weekends. In January, as I was setting up some resolutions, I discussed this with my husband and decided on a commitment when it came to the gym.
I would work out Monday and Tuesday evenings and would not allow myself to feel guilty for missing bedtime.
I laugh writing this because what I am not saying is that just because we schedule something we won’t feel guilty. Mom guilt is unavoidable and no amount of pre-scheduling can help us in that department. But I did discover something. After the first two weeks of this routine, it became just that – a routine. Two nights a week as my kids dip into baths and my husband (God bless this man) sits with them to start the bedtime routine, I depart. They happily wave and chatter about mom going to the gym to be healthy. A value I am trying to instill in them.
I honestly don’t feel guilty. The other 5 nights I nail the bedtime routine. Books and cuddles and songs, they get it all. But those other two nights, those are for my sanity.
Would you like to be featured on Monday Mom Confessions? We’re looking for guest writers; email us at comments@allmomdoes.com with your 1-2 sentence confession. If it’s approved you’ll be asked to write the full article and it will be published on allmomdoes!
