Balancing Henry's Needs with My Own

Being a parent is tough in the sense that it means you are responsible for ensuring that another human's needs are taken care of every single minute of every single day. That responsibility is a heavy burden to bear (while also being an immense blessing, of course).

It's important to me to keep my own needs at the forefront of my mind, so I continue to live a joyful, vibrant, and healthy life. If I take care of all of Henry's needs at the expense of all of my own needs, then I will not be a very good mother for Henry. It's a delicate balance, for sure.

Every once in a while, I think it's important for me to sit down and reflect upon what I need on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis and ensure that I carry all of those needs in my figurative pockets, pull them out as needed, and tend to them properly. I feel like we're at a transition point, now that Henry started daycare from 8:15-12:30 every day, and my time has suddenly opened up. It seems like a good time to sit down and have this conversation with myself.

So, dear Sara, what is it that you need on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis?

Daily:

• Eight hours of sleep
• Healthy meals
• Plenty of water
• Quality time with my family
• Time outside
• Meaningful and productive work with inspiring and engaging colleagues
• Time on my computer

Weekly:

• Exercise at least four times a week
• Time to myself
• Conversations with extended family and friends

Monthly:

• Time to create something
• A quirky and interesting event on our calendar
• A date night with Matt
  

Yearly:

• A big vacation
• A couple self-development endeavors (conferences, retreats, etc.)

When I write it out, it doesn't feel like an overwhelming amount at all!

--------------

Today on 2000 Dollar Wedding: An easy way to help guest keep track of their glasses at a party.

Share |