Rewarding Yourself

[forestmother]

For those of you that work with mothers or are mothers, what do you do to reward yourself? Is there something you like to buy yourself, or something you do that really clears your mind and makes you happy? If you have had an incredibly busy time, is there something you do for yourself that makes it feel worth your hard work? Just curious. I've been experimenting with this myself. My jobs as doula, preschool teacher, and babysitter, on top of being a mother, can really drain my sometimes. I love to give and help. I REALLY do. At the same time, I've been realizing how amazingly great it feels to once in a while do things like go to the thrift store and buy myself some new pretty clothes, or feed the kids first and then later have something special to eat and wine, or just different little things like that.

[AlachuaArtist]

It's not so much a reward as it is acknowledging ME. I buy myself some flowers, really pretty, smelly ones and put them on my dining table and in my bathroom and next to my bed. They are so bright and cheery, a reminder of all the good things I have done and all the good things that have come into my life.

If I buy flowers that can be dried (like roses), then the bouquets last even longer. Or I'll grind up the dried blossoms and turn them into body powders. Nothing gets wasted from these gifts to myself

[forestmother]

I LOVE that idea!
For me it's just been huge "allowing myself" to do something or buy something that is not 100% useful or needed as a mother. For quite a few years there, everything was about my kids. Everything!

[cricketwings]

One of my favorite things is to treat myself to a special coffee or tea and read a book!

[Melissa Doordaughter]

I am treating myself to a cranio-sacral massage once a fortnight and thai-chi once a week.... These things really help, a little bit of time where I focus on my needs.

Plus now my son is a bit bigger (he's 2) I like to go for a walk, when theres someone else home,while he's napping. An hour on my own in nature is really good for me.

[motherdank]

well, this is really silly, but the other night i drank a beer and played Mario Kart and it was AMAZING.

for me, it's sitting in a coffeeshop and socializing with good folks. or gardening!

[cricketwings]

AH HAHAHA... that's great! I do that sometimes too... video games and beer! Or I play Dungeons & Dragons with "the guys".
And yes, gardening is always great! I'm itching for the snow to go away so I can start!

[forestmother]

Me too. I can't wait to garden! Spending a couple of hours in the dirt is just so awesome.
I love playing video games sometimes too, and beer. I think it's just taking some time to "fool around" in a nonproductive way is so good for me. I'm always so damn productive. It could drive me nuts!

[Sashamarts]

i live in a little apartment so i bought a little plant for the windowsill, turns out that little plant was pennyroyal and didn't stay little for long, but trimming it and feeding/watering it plus just "roughing it up" a little to release the scent was such a nice retreat throughout the day. it wasn't a demanding kind of plant so it worked out nicely. also i love to do beauty treatments- mud masks, salt baths, body wraps, it makes me feel pampered even though i'm not at a spa

[motherdank]

Me too. I can't wait to garden! Spending a couple of hours in the dirt is just so awesome.
I love playing video games sometimes too, and beer. I think it's just taking some time to "fool around" in a nonproductive way is so good for me. I'm always so damn productive. It could drive me nuts!

oh my gosh, do i hear this! full time student + herb pharm + 6mon old = wild and crazy mess. time to sit around and shoot the breeze is essential!

[Ilume]

I'm a mother to two and work part-time, and we school at home. It can get hectic and often feels as if there is never enough time for everything!! I like to get a good book and read it while I soak in bubble bath. Note this is not the best way to treat a book, but it's very relaxing to "get away from it all" for a while. Also sometimes I will just crawl into bed and cuddle with my greyhound for 5-10 minutes, that is a great mini-escape.

[Ilume]

I'm a mother to two and work part-time, and we school at home. It can get hectic and often feels as if there is never enough time for everything!! I like to get a good book and read it while I soak in bubble bath. Note this is not the best way to treat a book, but it's very relaxing to "get away from it all" for a while. Also sometimes I will just crawl into bed and cuddle with my greyhound for 5-10 minutes, that is a great mini-escape.

[motherdank]

yesterday, divinity intervened. it was one of the last snows of the season (when, here in nebraska, the day before was 60 degrees.. ) so no gardening... my husband had bought me some Auracacia Tranquility bath salts so i sat in the tub, drank a glass of wine and toked.. FINALLY shutting my brain OFF and sinking into being... not washing very often makes baths so sacred to me, but this one was especially incredible. i got to be in there while my little one napped for TWO HOURS!! candles, lavender oil, good herb, oh my god, just thinking about it is relaxing!!