Escape Plans

The days and weeks are whizzing by me so fast at the moment. I feel like I am flailing around, attempting to get things done, but not really achieving anything. I feel like I need a moment to catch my breath…. and thanks to the lovely Christie from Childhood101 I have a moment to breathe, because today, Christie is blogging for me with this fabulous guest post…

We all have them.

THOSE days when it all seems a bit much.

THOSE days when the little things get to you.

THOSE days when you feel the need to escape.

Maybe it is the mundane and routine, or the sniffles and sneezes, or the whinges and whines. Whatever it is, on THOSE days, it just gets to you more than usual.

As Mums of small people, we have to find a way to push through those days. Preferably a way that does not involve *ahem* a full milo tin and a tablespoon ;-)

So here I offer you, seven potential ways to help you get through THOSE days with your sanity still in check. After all, it is good to be armed with an escape plan or two…

Do something outside

Sunshine and fresh air work wonders when you feel the need to escape. Even a walk in light rain can be refreshing. Bundle the baby into the pram or your children onto their bikes and scooters and enjoy some time outside. Or pop everyone into the car and drive to the beach or a nature reserve, anywhere that you will find peace and the children have room to run around. I find that somehow problems seem less cumbersome when they have room to breathe and spread out.

Do something different

Look at what is making you feel frustrated, angry or upset and find a way to do it differently. You don’t necessarily need to turn your whole household upside down or throw your usual routine out the window, just find a way to tweak the problem so that you are approaching it with fresh eyes and a new approach.

Do something fun with the kids

On those days when the children seem particularly whingy or whiny, ask yourself if it is because they actually need a bit more of your time and attention. I often find that my toddler is more demanding on the days when she hasn’t had any dedicated mummy time, that time where I am not interrupted by the internet, the phone, or outside of the home commitments but am actually available exclusively to her for a period of time. If this is the case, try to break the whingy, whiny cycle by suggesting that you do something fun together. It might be playing a game of their choice, or if you are feeling really brave, why not cook together or pull out some art materials and get creative.

Do something loud

Berthold Auerbach said, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday.” Put on some of your favourite music (preferably something upbeat) and sing and dance, with or without the children. Who can stay grouchy when bopping along to 80s pop?

Do something unexpected

You should be doing the washing, or cooking dinner, or scrubbing the bath…again! Give yourself 10 minutes to complete your chore and then reward yourself with something out of the ordinary and unexpected. Tell the family, dinner is outside tonight, with paper plates and fingers so there won’t be any washing up. Or pop some popcorn and enjoy a movie date with the kids.

Do something to make you laugh

Go jump on the kids trampoline or have a spin of a hula hoop. Play charades. Put on a home movie and laugh at yourselves. Whatever it takes to help you lighten the mood.

Do something for yourself

Have a shower, have a bath, shave your legs, paint your toenails, or even just make a nice hot cup of tea and sit down and enjoy it, whilst it’s still hot! Find something that you can do for you, even if it is just something small or just for five minutes, the key is switching off the worry about everything else for a little while and re-discovering some inner peace. And breathe.

What do you do when you feel the tension rising? What is your favourite escape plan?

{image : MahPadilha via flickr}