Momtivities

Last night was the 2nd half of the card extravagance at Jennifer's house. Check out what we made here

It was fun to chat with the gals and make some really cute cards too!

I've enjoyed having more friend time the last year. When N was small, I never left him. I felt guilty. I felt like I needed to always be with him. When L came along, I had the same feeling and so I rarely spent time away from my children except for work.

I've found that getting out and doing things that fulfill me actually makes me a better mom. I wish I had figured this out sooner. Now, I enjoy the time away and I enjoy the time together more too!

So, right now, my "mom-tivities" are Card Club (every other month); Bunco (once a month); and a Mom parenting group at church that is once a week while my kiddos are at their activities. It's not a ton of stuff, but it gives me an outlet as well as helps my kiddos see their mom fulfilled in something besides them and gives them an opportunity for some time alone with Lance which I think is a great thing. If we are both at the house, they naturally choose me, but if I'm not there, Lance gets to do things his way and they get to bond with him in a different way. Not better, not worse, just different.

So, if you were asking my advice, this is what I would say...Don't feel guilty about being away from your children. You need that time and they need it too. Now, I'm not advocating being selfish and continuing to live life the same way you did before kids, but really, I think the problem most of us have is the opposite, feeling like a bad mom if you aren't there for every second. So, drop the guilt-feelings and enjoy life! While you're with your kids, don't dream of the things you could be doing without them and while you are away, don't feel guilty about being away!

I think I had a few run-on sentences in this post. Oh well.