Curled into circles, some bouncing toddlers on their hips, mothers dot the school parking lot at pickup time, laughing and talking together. I wave hello to a mom I met at a meet-and-greet the week before. She looks past me and continues with her conversation. I wonder, Does she recognize me? Maybe not. We’ve only met once. Or maybe she didn’t see me. Feeling awkward and vaguely rejected, I retreat to a spot near the school entrance and wait for my son to emerge.
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How often do you take time for yourself? How often do you say, “Now it’s my special time” and let nobody interfere with that?
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The endless pressures and demands of motherhood can take up most of your time in a day. It’s natural to feel like your children consume all of your attention. That may even be reality, but it’s not healthy for them or you. Carving out some time just for you is important and there’s no need to feel guilty about it. Yes, we all want to be a good mom, but taking care of ourselves will make us better moms for our children, as well as better spouses and friends.
\nBringing home a new child is an exciting experience. It can also be overwhelming, especially when the child comes to you through foster care or adoption. The child has already been through the trauma of at least one move and separation from familiar caregivers. They are likely scared, and confused. The same is often true for the new parents and any children already in the home.
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