Recharged Super Power

As a working mom, I rarely have time to read personal emails or be able to review the latest articles that I saved.  But when I checked my email for a response to an email I sent to a teacher at the teenager's school, I happened to open the link for a post on Oprah's website.  I took a few more moments to not just open but read the post.  Oprah gave me an AH HA moment  With work being extremely busy, and basketball season never ending, I realized I was mentally exhausted.

Imagine my surprise when I realized I had superpowers and still had a weakness!  Really??!!  I can scan Hamlet to make it relavent to my teenager, help my 6th grader with his algebra homework (I had to look to Youtube for help!!) and assist my 5th grader with study habits for his spelling test.  But I was mentally exhausted.


I noticed I was distracted, and less focused on all the stuff I needed to do in my day.  I was overwhelmed with new information I had to learn and master at work, while keeping up with playdates, being a homeroom parent for all my children's classes, arriving at various basketball practice locations, trainer information and game times.  I usually master all of these things in moments, but it was taking longer and my memory was seemingly growing shorter.  Thank goodness I recognized I needed a vacation and it was not because I was getting old. Being 40 years old brings on new challenges and I truly wasn't sure if this was one.

I needed a vacation but what I needed most was several days to rest mentally.  I needed to find a way to recharge.  I needed to find a way to be home, in my castle, in my cave, on my own planet away from the what was draining me.  I had taken on TOO many projects and never stopped moving.

I decided to take a week off from work and spend it doing fun things with the people I loved most....My minis!  My husband!! Myself!!!  How can I expect to save the world from the mean old monsters in the closet, the "I'm bored" child that I don't remember having, or the "I miss you, mommy" minis if I can't remember where I am supposed to be right now.  The last straw was when I showed up for a game at the wrong location and forgot to prep for dinner the night before. I knew then, what my husband said to me was a true....I TOLD YOU SO moment.  I needed to rest, and I needed to do it now.  Work would have to wait....parent social hour would have to be rescheduled....basketball games would need to be carpooled.

I told my minis that I would be home that week and they were shocked.  I get several weeks vacation at my place of employment and ALWAYS carryover ten days!  I only call out if one of the minis are ill.  I am the first one at work...and the last to leave.  You know...the perfectionist that has to do it all but doesn't know how to ask for help.  Yep...that was me.  (Is that you too?)

And in that very moment...at the very second my youngest jumped for joy....I realized they needed to recharge with me.  We planned a week of activities that included trips to several local parks and playgrounds, one on one time with each child, and one day for myself to do ABSOLUTELY nothing!
They enjoyed the eight playgrounds on three different days, they loved the movie night and most of all I loved every moment with them.

We are superheros in our own ways, but remember...for every superhero there is an assistant/sidekick to help them think through their heroic day.  Make sure you find your Alfred, Robin, Jimmy Olsten or Wonder Girl to help you be your best self!