Time Out for Mom?
 

Moms frequently use the "time out" term as a form of discipline for bad behaviour. It provides a way for overactive children to calm down and understand that their actions are inappropriate. But would it be crazy to think that this same rule should apply to mothers?

Moms are prone to stress, and who can blame them? They spend their days as cook, dishwasher, laundress, taxi driver, cleaning lady, childcare worker, volunteer worker, nurse, seamstress, referee, tutor, cheerleader, and every other title suitable for some service required by their family. Not to mention that many moms also work outside the home too.

The constant struggle to keep all those balls in the air, in perfect order and balance, is anything but easy. Day after day of repetitive tasks can really start to grate on even the best of moms, and as nice as the phrase, "Super Mom" is, the truth means stress, and lots of it.

With a million things to do and only 24 hours in a day in which to accomplish them, patience runs thin as the mommy load gets heavier. A stressed out mom is an explosion waiting to happen, one wrong move and the whole load comes crashing down.

A ringing phone, tugging on the pants, whining, burnt bake sale cookies, being late, hunt for a missing shoe, spilt coffee, or a broken knick knack caused by a flying soccer ball, can be one too many things added to that already pounding head. The only way to release the angry frustration crushing mom's chest is to most commonly yell and scream.

Moms, you know what I'm talking about. You know when you've reached that point of no return. So what if it could be handled in a way that relieves you, and keeps your innocent family out of the way of your lashing tongue, would you do it?

Good. It's called, "mommy's time out".

When you feel that familiar surge rushing forth, you need to run and hide in the bathroom, bedroom, garage, closet, or any other place that will give you peace for ten minutes. Just drop everything, and go to your time out spot. What you do for that five minutes is up to you, whether it's deep breathing, praying, meditating, stretching, humming, writing, whatever it is, pour all your anger and frustration into that activity. I promise, that by the time one of the kids hunts you down, you'll be feeling calm and in control again.

Not only will the pressure be gone, but you'll be pleased to know that you didn't take your impatience and distress out on your innocent bystanders.

So, step out from your "time out" hideaway, smooth back your hair, stand up straight, and start juggling.

Tip: Repeat when necessary, cause hey, who's going to know that you fumbled for even a second in MommyLand?