Do you ever feel guilty when you buy yourself a two dollar bottle of nail polish? How about when you take the long way home from a quick ride to the store just to get some extra quiet time, and when you get home the kids ask, “what took you so long?” does this make you feel like you did something wrong? I am here to tell you that you shouldn’t feel an ounce of guilt!

Moms always seem to give, give, and give some more until we’re running on empty. The truth of the matter is; if you don’t take time to yourself on a regular basis, you’re going to end up feeling deprived and downright exhausted. What good are you to yourself, friends and your family if you’re too tired and irritable to do the things you need to do each day?

Here are a few tips to help you overcome feeling guilty for setting aside time for yourself:

• When your family is getting too demanding and starts questioning you as to why you aren’t at their beckon call every second of the day; simply explain to them that you’re taking time out for a bit and that mom’s need time to themselves too. You can do this by setting a day and time do to something nice for yourself and simply explain to your family what your plans are. Let them know when you are leaving and when they can expect you to be back. They will be so happy to have a relaxed, happy mom upon your return.

• Ask your husband, significant other, friend or a trusted sitter to watch your kids for a while ant then schedule a time to go meet call your friend for an afternoon of window shopping, lunch or perhaps a movie. Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty while you’re doing this. Keep in mind that you deserve the time. When you arrive back at home, don’t get all tense and think, “Maybe I should have stayed home and cleaned the toilet instead.” Let your children see how happy you are that you took time out for yourself then reward your children for their behavior while you were away.

• The next time you find yourself feeling guilty when you haven’t done anything wrong, ask yourself, “is this illegal?” or “is this going to hurt someone else?” If the answer is no, then just don’t worry about it and try to enjoy yourself. You’re more than just a mom, you’re still Y-O-U; and you deserve attention too.

• Don’t think you’re being selfish. This is the number one thing that sidetracks a lot of moms. We have no problem going out and getting a little something for the kids, husband, or friends, but when it comes to making a purchase for ourselves, as small as a shirt on the clearance rack for a few dollars, we hesitate and put it back. If you can afford to get yourself a little something then go ahead and do it. Even if all you can purchase is a new tube of lip stick, a new book or a small accessory, it will make you feel better about yourself.

• Be sure you are expressing your true thoughts and feelings to your loved ones. For instance, if you are asked what you want for your birthday and you say, “Well, I don’t really need anything” and secretly, you are expecting your family to read your mind, 9 times out of 10 you’ll end up feeling disappointed in the outcome. When your family is really trying to be nice and do something kind for you, let them! Don’t feel guilty for asking for that shiny new bracelet you saw in the mall, or a trip to a day spa for that massage that you’ve always wanted. You deserve it!

The most important things in a mother’s life, her children, are also the most influential. Children are just like sponges and everything Mom does they will, at some point in time in their lives, mimic and/or reflect upon. If your children see you constantly suppressing your needs and not speaking out and taking the time that you deserve, they will be more inclined to follow those patterns as they grown into adulthood. What you do today can determine the kind of life your child will lead tomorrow.

Life is short and motherhood goes by quickly, enjoy it to the best of your ability. A guilt free mom is a happy mom!

Article by:

Aurelia Williams is a certified Life Coach and author of Supermom Trap.

     

No matter where you shop, you want to get the best deal for your money.  Online shoppers are no different.  Here are some ways to find great deals when shopping online.

Shop for deals online after a major holiday occurs.  The best time for shopping is after Thanksgiving.  Retailers in stores and online are looking to maximize their profits with your shopping dollar.  Most of your favorite outlet stores will be offering popular items on sale at a fraction of the cost to attract more customers.

Some online retailers offer deals to customers that can’t be found in the stores.  Special online deals allow people to shop from the comfort of their own home instead of standing in long lines outside the retail stores.  They may offer free shipping for orders over a certain dollar amount.

Use coupons to shop at online stores.  Check Sunday newspaper circulars.  Some stores offer customers the option of using their coupons online.  Since you have shipping and handling in addition to sales tax, online merchants will offer more money off with their coupons for online purchases.

Electronics are a popular item to purchase online.  Check the comments made by other shoppers before purchasing.  Their comments give you an idea of the quality and satisfaction you will receive from the product.  Stores like Circuit City offer deals on their electronics which includes in-store pickup.

What they will ask you to do is to enter your address into the computer.  They will give you the address of the closest store location and the availability of the product you seek.  If the product is available, you have the option of paying online and picking it up in the store.  You avoid shipping and handling and long lines in the store.

Sites like Overstock.com are always offering deals on all sorts of items.  Some are new and some are refurbished.  Be sure that the site you use is an authorized reseller of the selected product to avoid getting ripped off.  Again, check comments from other shoppers that have used that site for shopping purchases.

Taking surveys can garner deals at shopping sites all across the Internet.  Places like MyPoints.com offer shopping deals to their members through daily bonus e-mails just for trying products for a trial period.  Members also earn points towards gift cards and services for trying these offers.  There is no cost to become a member.  Just sign up and create a profile.

Deals are available to online shoppers, but you must know when and where to look.  Online shopping offers the convenience of browsing and buying without leaving your home computer.

Find family friendly product reviews, information and support from a variety of different moms from all walks of life at Moms Talk News. Join us, it’s Free!

     

In the beginning of your pregnancy, you’re consumed with excitement and you feel beautiful.  It seems like the upcoming months will last forever as you plan, shop, decorate and bond deeper with your partner.  You can’t imagine forgetting one moment of this exciting time.  But just to make sure, you dutifully record every precious moment in your pregnancy journal along with the receipts and special mementos you’ve collected.

You’re pregnant and your emotions change all day long; excited, anxious, happy, sad, feeling beautiful, feeling fat.  These feelings not only change all day, but they become stronger and different over the months as your baby grows inside you.  Those emotions of feeling beautiful at the beginning of your pregnancy will change to emotions of feeling fat once you’re into your sixth or seventh month.

Finally the labor begins and you’re whisked off to the hospital or birthing center room and your pregnancy journal is forgotten.  You’re now concentrating on the labor and wishing it would be over.  What a way to cap off a wonderful pregnancy, writhing in agony or thankfully medicated as the contractions take over your body.  At this moment you can’t think of much you’d want to remember, except maybe those special moments with your partner.

Suddenly you are giving birth, your new baby has arrived and your wonderful new life is starting.  You and your partner exchange emotional thoughts that will be remembered forever.  These are moments burned in your memory to be shared in later years when your family is grown.

While you wrap up the labor and delivery those first few days, friends and relatives call and some stop by to view your baby in the nursery.  You form a special relationship with your doctor and the nurses and other new mothers.  As you drive your new baby home and safely nestle him in his new room, there are more special memories.  From now on, everything you do is a special memory.

These are the times you want to record as a family keepsake.  Your pregnancy journal may not leave much room to record the events that come after the delivery.  You’ll want to have a new scrapbook ready or a new journal just for the labor and delivery.  You might overlook giving birth as an event needing a special keepsake.  Of course, you’ll remember the major special moments, but as the years go by, you will forget the minor events.  You may have a video of the birth and of course, you’ll have many photos of the labor and delivery, but these don’t record your special thoughts and emotions that only you experienced.

When your new baby is grown and ready to commit to a family of his own, you’ll be asked a lot of questions about his birth.  Imagine how wonderful it would be to have your keepsake to provide all the details you otherwise would have forgotten.  This is a keepsake that will warm the heart of your now grown child as he/she realizes how special it is that you put so much time and effort into this keepsake.

Make plans early in your pregnancy to record these cherished memories of giving birth.

     

Or should I say “Well Balanced Moms Are More Fun”? Let me ask you… When was the last time you had lunch with some girl friends, or went on a girl’s night out? When was the last time you went on a romantic weekend getaway with your spouse? If you can’t remember, we definitely have to talk.

It’s so easy to fall into the mommy guilt trap. We feel guilty if we take time for ourselves, so we end up taking care of everyone in the family but us. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the quest to become SuperMom. Along the way we get stressed out and aggravated. It’s important to do something just for us to stay balanced moms. Here are some ways for you to get started on your journey to rediscover YOU.
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