Mom-Machine Mentality

A mom-machine. Does that describe you? It's a trend a lot of mothers have ended up in. Churning out dinners, baths, racing children to and fro - barely squeezing in alone time with spouses or quiet time for personal projects. The mom-machine volunteers a lot, is very sociable - yet very frazzled! It's a hard spiral to not get sucked up in.

I don't know about you, but to me that's not what mothering is about. To me, a mother encompasses gentleness, humor, organization, security and love. She is the cord that holds her family together. When mom is stressed out, the family is stressed out. But when mom is patient, in control and radiates warmth, her family will feel that and relax while being drawn into that pattern of love. These qualities that are so important to the stability of a home seem to be squeezed out of the mom-machine's life. It's not intentional, it just happens because we try to be too much, go too many places and have too many things.

You see, mothering is not just something we do, it is something we ARE. You can't turn it off or on when you feel like it. It is a time of life that can never be replaced.

It's ok to want to be involved, and it's ok to like to be active. But not at the expense of your husband and children. Not at your own expense! You lose more than you gain when you weave a web of demands and appointments around your family life. You lose your health and most importantly, you lose your joy.

Each day is too fragile to let it slip by without tender moments shared in the home. Moms, we are human beings - not machines. If you find responsibilities piling up, take a second look at your priorities. Ask your spouse and children to help ease your load by pitching in. Give up some of the extra burdens and loads you have taken on that really aren't necessary.

If you don't enjoy where you are and what you're doing, chances are you've neglected yourself and your loved ones. Take this time to reflect on where you are and to put your priorities in order. You will feel so refreshed and revitalized! I encourage you to not just be a mom-machine, but be a mother and enjoy the whole adventure.

~Dionna Sanchez relishes her role as mom and as Editor of Emphasis On Moms. You can catch her newsletter by subscribing at http://www.yahoogroups.com/subscribe/Emphasis