I’m sitting here in Starbucks choking down my plain decaf
Green Tea… the first step in my newly begun hyper-mommy detox program. I’m determined to re-train both my
taste buds and my nervous system.
No more mid-day caffeine power slams for me. No more Gingerbread Lattes with whipped
cream for this girl. No more red wine EVERY night, and no more Halloween candy
either.
The jolly holidays are within my un-toned arms reach and I’m
feeling the overwhelming need to center myself now before it’s too late; to
find my way back to weekly yoga and proper sleep, real food, treadmill time,
deep breaths, and a slower resting heat rate.
This autumn was unusually frantic for me. House re-construction from last
Summer’s flood, a big ol’ birthday
bash to plan for my man, an Elementary School Book Fair to run, all those
writing goals listed in my Day Planner, and oh yea, those two little boys to
care for and nurture.
So I am sippin’ the tea, feeling the love, and typing away
here in the Barnes and Noble café.
I’ve also just
purchased a book that I’m counting on to give me a little hyper-active
parenting perspective. It’s called “Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of
Anxiety”. A friend of mine has
been reading it and has recruited a batch of us to read it as well, after which
we will all meet to discuss.
As soon as I mention the title of this book to any other
moms, their reactions are freakishly the same. All of them smirk, shake their heads in agreement, and
usually say some version of “That book must be written about me.”
After reading the little description on the back cover five
minutes ago in between the mass of book-stuffed shelves in the women’s studies
section, I knew right away that this was the perfect piece of literature for
me, right now, as I prepare to jump head first into the next few months of
celebratory madness.
I adore the holidays, but like so many other full time
“power moms”, I struggle with making this time of year perfect, and lovely, and
“It’s a Wonderful Life-ish” for everyone (including me), while trying to
maintain the easy-going, joyful, peaceful environment I want my kids to recall
about life in our home.
Not only is there the organic, predictable stress of the
holidays, there’s also the gut clenching, heart pounding strife and anxiety
that surfaces when you realize how increasingly stressed out and anxious you’re
becoming.
Yow-za.
How do we stop ourselves from becoming just another crabby,
crazed, and highly caffeinated mommy statistic? I’m hoping it starts with a little Green Tea, some treadmill
sweat, and a well-written smack in the face. I’ll let ya know what I learn.
PS: Please share your tips and advice for putting the brakes
on the run-away truck that is the Holidays