Mom's, what do you do to keep your "identity"...

[lillygator]

in the "non mom" sense, if that makes any sense?

It seems sometimes I get so caught up in being a mom and a wife that I kind of lose myself - or maybe lost myself already.....

 

[ilovejack02]

in the "non mom" sense, if that makes any sense?

It seems sometimes I get so caught up in being a mom and a wife that I kind of lose myself - or maybe lost myself already.....

I have joined the Junior League of Baton Rouge and spend quite a bit of time volunteering my time to the community. My girlfriends and I are all very close too and we dont let anything or anyone stand in our way of our girltime. We all get together at least two or 3 times a month, our men have learned if momma aint happy no one is, so they happily send us out the door. (PS works the same way with daddy, if he wants a day of golf or hunting or fishing, I dont say a word)

 

[lillygator]

yes, my DH plays softball two nights a week....I am thinking I need a hobby to get me out of the house a bit and reconnect with myself.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I'm lost too, LOL!

Actually, I just started taking a pottery class, and it's nice having time to do something just for me. I head over just after dinner one night every week and DH puts the kiddos to bed.

 

[lillygator]

...but I need it to be something "cheap" - softball is free...DH has people begging him to play, so aside from the gas....I was thinking of taking different cooking classes, but they are quite hefty in price.

 

[Aidensmom]

I really haven't given up any of the things (except dating )that I did before I was a wife and mother....I still spend time alone and doing the things I like to do.

 

[debster812]

DS plays sports year round (soccer, baseball, basketball, etc) so I was quickly becoming "Ian's Mom". There is now a core group of kids he hangs with, and plays with, so we actually know the other adult's real names (what a concept ).

I take a knitting class once a week, which I LOVE. It's between 8 and 10 women and we sit and knit and chit chat. It's great.

I also work outside the home, so I have that whole other side of things as well.

 

[mickeyboat]

I work outside the home, and I think it really helps me maintain my identity besides being a wife and mother.

Most of the time I spend with friends is family time, too, so I get the best of both worlds when our families get together.

I have also done some traveling without DH and the kids. I have gone to MN twice with my mother to visit family, and my mom and I went to Paris in 2005. We are thinking about Italy this year.

Denae

 

[ilovejack02]

...but I need it to be something "cheap" - softball is free...DH has people begging him to play, so aside from the gas....I was thinking of taking different cooking classes, but they are quite hefty in price.

Check your library , you never know what kind of classes you can take with them.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Check your library , you never know what kind of classes you can take with them.

I second that! And don't stop with the one right in your town. I discovered that the main branch, only 15 minutes from me, offers several classes, including knitting, for free.

 

[Daxx]

I joined a book club at the local book store! You can always find the books that are selected at the library for free!

 

[rie'smom]

For years I was in Service League (small town version of Junior League) and that kept me real busy. Since I've sustained,I paint,sew,read,lunch,travel,and DIS.

 

[meeskamouska]

I talk to my bestest girlfriend Goofyluver every night....it is my unwind time. Thankfully I have a great long distance plan!!!

I also go to school...taking my classes is great down time for me....it's the home work that is no fun!!!

*

 

[disney1990]

Beats me -- my name is Sarah's Mom or Shannon's Mom.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I recently started making and selling jewelry & cell phone charms online, so that helps soo much! Some nights I head to starbucks with some stuff and work in silence Some weekends i take a class too. I also NEVER give up on my manicures and peidcures at least once in awhile.

I come back from any of those items refreshed and ready for what ever the next day will bring

 

[Buckalew11]

LOL, Sarah and Shannon's mom. I'm Hunter's mom. All over this town! LOL

Anyway, I play tennis, work, scrapbook, meet up with friends, and keep learning to keep my own identity.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Now that my kids are both in school (till next year anyways when #3 comes home), I went back to school as a full time student. Last year I went to Africa twice to volunteer at an orphanage and kids stayed home with dad. Despite being there working with kids, I really felt more like myself then I had in years. That was when I decided to go back to school.

I also hang out with a group of close girlfriends from my neighborhood regularly (daily with the kids, 1-2 times a month out WITHOUT the kids). I have a close group of women from my church that does things without the kids on a monthly basis, and a smaller group within that group that I see other times as well (meeting for coffee or dinner, etc). One thing that really helped was finding different kinds of friends. Most of my friends after I had my daughter (lived in a new area, so met all new people) were married 1st time mommies too, so it was literally all we talked about. Now I have friends with and without kids, married and unmarried, career and stay at home, etc. That makes a big difference... and our conversation is a lot more interesting!

 

[aprilgail2]

I work outside the house so I never really "lost" it once I had my daughter. I still have all my adult friends and have made more since I had my daughter with them being her firends moms. I volunteer for a sick/needy kids foundation like before, only difference is now my daughter works beside me there! If I didn't work outside the home I would feel really lost.

 

[rt2dz]

The biggest thing--skipped the mini van. I just couldn't do it.

Other than that, Mom's Night Out with freinds once a month. Conversations via phone or email with adults. Belong to a couple of mommy support groups (to meet people & have adult time). Volunteer. Take off once a week to be by myself, usually reading and have a cup of coffee.

 

[tuckerkeys]

i have a horse & get to go to the barn & play with him when the mommy thing gets to be too much! it is nice to fuss over a giant ( he is a clydesdale ) and think about horsey things instead of kid stuff....i go 1-2x a week ( i board him) , sometimes more.... it clears my head