It leaves me to wonder what do other women do for "downtime"? How do you relax? What do you find is relaxing? What do you do to replenish? When do you know you need to?

Over the last few months I have been experimenting with the whole concept of "recharging". For me, recharging is anything that I do just for me, because it makes me feel good. These days it could be anything from reading a book to getting the bathrooms cleaned or the laundry up to date.

Tuesday mornings I meet a friend at 630 am and we go running for 30 minutes, then I go out 2 more times during the week after the kids have gone off to sleep to run. These two 30 minutes sessions are my golden time - nobody bugs me.

Tuesday nights, I play hockey. Again, I'm out after the kids are asleep. I go out to the bar for a beer after too! It makes for a late night, but it is so worth it.

I have been working with the teenage girl across the street to get her comfortable babysitting Jacob (2 1/2) so that I can work in my gardens this spring and summer. She spends 2 hours with Jacob in our home so that I can do something that I want to do. I pay her $5 per hour. The first time, I sat up in my bedroom, had a cup of tea, watched TV, and snuggled and nurse Lyndsy. Best 10 bucks I ever spent. I used to swap babysitting with a friend, but it has fallen apart now that we both have 2 kids. I am overwhelmed with my own two most of the time that I just can't take on anymore.

This past March, I planned a blessingway for 7 pregnant friends. This was a really fun event to plan - everyone was so excited. The effects of that day have been long lasting for me.

Coming down to the computer every couple of days to check on the "outside world" is a bit of a recharge for me too.

I also read a trashy love novel from start to finish - it took me about a month and a half but I did it.

I have been taking off on Sunday mornings to go to church. I take the baby. We sit quietly together and just listen or sometimes I just sit and think about other things. Lyndsy is such a wonderful little girl and so easy going. She usually sits nicely with me or there is usually someone who wants to hold her and snuggle her during the mass.

It's been great doing things for myself again - I am starting to see it as an essential component to my mothering.

Sandy

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