Welcome to Mom Motivation Mondays where weekly contributing writers share their motherhood experiences to encourage you to find the joy in being a mom.

{This week: Post by Lisa Brown}

Do you burn out from being a stay at home mom from time to time?   You need a plan of action for the tired mom!

Maybe you are burned out right now and you wonder how you are going to make it. I struggle with this sometimes. It’s a helpless feeling that makes a day really long.

When I’m burned out I feel like I’ve done something wrong. I can get pretty blue when I feel guilty and tired of it all.

But the truth is.  It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and exhausted.  There is no need to feel guilty.  We can overcome that feeling of yuck by loving ourselves better.

Moms, we spend most of our time looking out for the best interest of our kids, loving our husbands, and caring for our homes.  It’s a full time job that is amazing, rewarding, and so very tiring.

We all need to have something in mind for ourselves that we can look forward to doing each day.  It doesn’t have to be something big.  It’s the little things that put a big smile on our faces.

Today I hope to encourage you to pay attention to your personal needs.

What are the little things in life that bring sunshine to your hungry soul? 

This is one of the posts I am most excited to share for stay at home moms! And that is because you matter.

We have an important job.

We are helping the world become a better place by shaping our kids to be all that they can be.  Moms, don’t ever under estimate the importance of what you do.

Please grab yourself a nice hot cup of coffee or tea and let’s get down to business.  Let’s create a plan of action for the tired mom.  I have my cup of coffee and I’m ready to go!

It’s time to take charge of your well-being.

Plan of Action for the Tired Mom: Gift Basket for You

I want you to imagine an empty basket.

What color is it? Does is have a unique shape?  Is it full of patterns or just a few? 

Now that you have a basket in mind I’m going to help you fill it with gifts.

Let’s create a list of things to put in your very own gift basket for the year ahead.

This basket is for you only.

Moms we need our own things that we don’t have to share.

This helps me to remember that I count too and that I have interests.  Let’s never lose sight of what we like! If we don’t think about ourselves we will forget the exciting person we are.

My mom helps me to remember to take care of myself.  Every now and then she will give me cash to spend.  She always says, “This is for you and no one else!” This feels so good to me.

I hope you will fill your gift basket with treasures that bless you and I want you to put your name on it.  I never realized how good I felt when I received a gift or card addressed to me until most of the things delivered to our house on Christmas said, “For Brown Family.”

After you fill your basket make a flexible plan to take time to enjoy your new things.

Gift Basket Ideas for Moms

Journal or note cards

Small photo album of your favorite joy-filled photos

Motivational quotes or scriptures for moms

A devotional or prayer book

A new book to read

A small bag of sweet treats and special tea

An uplifting essential oil like Joy or Frankincense

What is in my gift basket for my tired mom moments?

-My heart does well when I remain thankful.  I like the idea of filling up a jar with what I’m thankful for.

Write your moments of gratitude on a note card or in your journal, and keep it in your gift basket.

-When I find my mind focusing on negative things I like to look at pictures that help my memory remember happy times.  I like pictures that show mommy moments of joy, marriage full of passion, and pictures of good times with friends.

A little album will indeed do the heavy heart some good.

-My newest idea is to write my own gift cards.  This will be the first year of doing this.  It would be so cool to have cards for my favorite restaurant or one that I haven’t been to.

How about a gift card to a movie, play, museum, or shopping spree? It’s important to have something to look forward to doing on your own!

-God’s word is breath to my lungs.

Worship music and scripture cards fills my soul and I feel whole when I spend time with God.

-I also like to read inspirational and prayer books that help me pray when I feel stuck

Great devotionals for moms: My Utmost for His Highest, Mom Connection, and Jesus Calling.

-There is always something new to learn.  Just recently I ordered some books to help me grow as a writer.

-I can’t wait for my next shopping trip! I’m going to pick out new lotion and perfume for myself. And a coffee cup and/or pretty antique tea cup.

I’d like to try new tea and have a bag of sweets to enjoy during a quiet time all by myself.

Enough of my ideas for a gift basket as a plan of action for the tired mom.  I’d like to read some of your ideas too.

Please share with us in the comments below.

What would you place in your mom gift basket?

I was forty when I got married. I had my first child in 2008 and my second child in 2010. I am not a young mom.  I’ve been married since 2006 to an amazing man that is my best friend and we live in Colorado. Before I had children I was a Preschool Teacher. Now I’m a Home School Teacher.

I write to encourage and inspire. Life is messy and sometimes makes no sense. I don’t have all the answers or claim to have it all together. I’m learning that I don’t have to be perfect. I’m loved by God just because, and so are you. My posts are meant to help you hang in there when you feel like giving up. Join us at Moms on a Mission and Gathering Place For Sisters In Christ to connect with other moms seeking faith and joy in this season of life.

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