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 Lauren}

Motherhood was everything I dreamed about as a child. Then as I got older the feelings intensified. I couldn’t wait to have kids. I told my husband I wanted kids because I thought it would be fun. I KNEW motherhood is something I was created for.

Then I had kids and wow. It wasn’t what I expected.

Why was she crying ALL THE TIME?

Why wasn’t I getting any sleep (even when my baby was sleeping!)?

Why was this so hard?

My mom warned me. She told me it wouldn’t be easy. But I didn’t know actually what she meant until our daughter was born.

Now that I have two kids I’ve learned a few things along the way. It’s not only okay to ask for a mommy break, it’s necessary!

I dreamed about being a stay at home mom and for the most part I love it. Yet there are days where I’m about it lose it and my kids are getting on my last nerve.

3 reasons asking for a mommy break is not bad for you.

Time to Recharge

I need to have alone time every so often. It’s a time when I disconnect and recharge. As moms we are always worried about everyone else’s needs.

Do they have enough food? Are they comfortable in bed? Are they involved in enough activities?

It can be easy to disregard our own needs when we are busy taking care of others. It’s so important to take that mommy break and recharge our batteries.

Time to Reconnect

Though I try to wake up before my kids in the morning it doesn’t always happen. The mornings where I spent time in God’s word and in His presence I notice a difference. I’m not as angry, I’m more patient and I spread the joy He has placed in my heart with my family.

If you have limited time in your day to connect with God, ask your friends, spouse or family for a break. An hour to go read your Bible and hear what God has for you. You will come back a different mom!

Time to Work on Me

I love being a stay at home mom, but I don’t want to lose myself in the process. I don’t want to be lost when my kids grow up and leave the home. I want to have hobbies, interests and things that are mine.

I used to think I was being selfish for asking for a break. See I chose to be a stay at home mom, shouldn’t I be content? You are not being selfish for finding time to work on yourself! We all need this. It’s necessary and it doesn’t make you a bad mom for desiring it.

How do you handle the stress of being a mom? Are you good about asking for breaks? I’d love to hear your journey in the comments below!

Lauren has a background in school psychology and recently became a stay at home mom. She loves empowering women to parent joyful, healthy, Godly children. Come find support in motherhood, faith, healthy living, relationships and more as Lauren journeys through life as a daughter, wife and mother at her blog, Heart of Deborah. Follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.