Looking out for number one

In relation to an earlier post, my friend Liz said to me "if Momma ain't happy then nobody's happy." That is the truth.

So, after 5+ long months of doing almost nothing for myself except for showering and occasionally applying hand lotion (oh, and stretch mark cream) I made my long-awaited return to the salon tonight.

Bliss.

As my color processed, I sat, drank coffee (WITH caffeine! After 6 pm!), read Star magazine and very seriously pondered the fates of TomKat, Brangelina, and of course, Britney and Lindsay. So much has been happening in their lives. When did I stop caring? Oh yeah, when I had three kids.

It finally hit me that I really do need to spend a little more time by myself doing things FOR myself. Lately, the list of things I've done by myself have included: pumping, shopping for the children, working, doing laundry for the children, buying gifts for other people's children. Are we seeing the pattern?

I think mothers tend to have a nasty little habit of putting everyone else's needs ahead of their own. And that's understandable most of the time. The children need to get fed, bathed and clothed. Bills need to get paid. Houses need to be cleaned.

But we also need to face the facts and stop flattering ourselves: the children's (or spouse's) world will not come to a screeching halt if we go get a hair cut every 8 weeks. Or take a bubble bath once a month. Or go for a walk every day. Etc. Perhaps when we are not around the children will not be dressed in the outfit we would have chosen. Or maybe they'll eat mac and cheese for lunch AND dinner. So what? They're dressed and they've eaten and that's what's important, right?

So ladies, I think we all need to make a point to take the time to take care of ourselves. Especially with the craziness of the holidays approaching. MAKE the time for yourself - we deserve it!