When my first two were little, I was part of a moms group that spent a year going through a curriculum that drove home the point that moms needs to protect who they are—their identity before kids. There are lots of ways to do that but one that I have been really good about is carving out “me” time.
Annually
Every year I hit the beach for a weekend with a couple of my closest friends. There is no agenda. We sleep, talk, and eat a lot. It really helps me gain perspective for the year (and renews my hubby’s appreciation of me since he has kid duty for the weekend).
Monthly
I coordinate an adoptive and foster moms’ night out that meets every month. It is always great to have uninterrupted conversation with moms who really get what I’m living day-to-day. I also get out in the evenings about six to eight other times during the year with friends. I am so blessed to have a husband who supports me when I need some girl-time. (Don’t worry. He gets plenty of opportunities for getting out, too.)
Weekly
Sleep-in Saturdays have probably saved our sanity and marriage. When our first two kiddos were around three and five, we started letting them fend for themselves on Saturday morning so we could catch up on “sleep.” They roll out of bed, fix themselves a frozen waffle, granola bar, or bowl of dry cereal and watch cartoons until we decide to join the land of the living. In general, I try to limit screen time but on Saturday mornings, it is not unusual for them to watch three hours of television. I figure it is a small price to pay for the benefits.
In addition to Saturdays, Patrick and I host a group of single and/or childless friends for dinner and great conversation every week on a weeknight. Currently we meet on Thursday evenings. After dinner, we put the kids to bed early and settle in with a glass of wine for great conversation. Sometimes we do a Bible Study, sometimes we are a book club, and sometimes a movie club. Being the extrovert I am, this is one of my favorite times of week. I love being part of a world that does not involve diapers, carpool, or a never-ending stream of kid activities.
Daily
Call me crazy, but I am a morning person. Since having kids, mornings and I have a sort of love-hate relationship. The sleep-deprived part hates when the alarm goes off at 5:30AM but the morning person part loves being productive before the kids get up. The kids have a 7AM Rule. I am not allowed to see any little faces before 7AM. Before our kids could tell time, we put a digital clock with all but the hour digit covered up and told them not to come out unless they saw a 7.
This allows me time to work and shower in peace…assuming I get up in time.
Thanks to BlogHer and Dove® my morning shower products have a new friend.
Meet Dove® VisibleCare™
Renewing Crème Body Wash
- Designed to nourish and replenish skin
- Rich, pearlescent crème format with luxurious lather and clean rinse
- Contains a mild cleanser, glycerin and stearic acid
- fruity floral fragrancethat includes a modern combination of pink mimosa and pomegranate
18 fl. oz. / SRP $6.69
The first thing I noticed when I first lathered up with Dove® VisibleCare™ was, just that, the lather. It’s rich and creamy and smells like old-fashioned Dove® bar soap. It’s the kind of creamy that can double as shave gel. At first, I wasn’t convinced that it was going to give me visibly more beautiful skin after a week. However, the recent mid-atlantic freak storm and resulting power outages forced me to shower at the gym last weekend where I used what was available in the shower stalls. My skin was definitely drier and itchier even after using body lotion than it had been using Dove® VisibleCare™ for the previous week. Even Mia randomly and unsolicited said, “Mom, your skin looks beautiful” the other night as I was tucking her in. Coincidence? Maybe, but I’ve also noticed that flip-flop clad feet look much better when using Dove® VisibleCare™.
Want to know more or read about the three different variants of Dove® VisibleCare™? Head over to Dove’s site by clicking here.
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This sweepstakes runs from 7/18/2012 – 8/22/2012
Be sure to visit the Dove® VisibleCare™ Crème Body Wash brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!