Summer Holidays · Work and Kids · Your Survival Guide

Summer Holidays · Work and Kids · Your Survival Guide

For the last 2 years I've written a blog ranting about how hard the summer holidays can be if you are self-employed and have kids to look after. (Read the blog here)

This year it's all been a whole lot better and I have actually really enjoyed the holidays, even though I've been working and looking after the kids.  There are 2 reasons for this:

1. My kids are older (10, 11 and 13). They have been incredibly good at entertaining themselves.  For those of you who still have very young children, please know that it does get easier!  When they are very young it is VERY HARD and you're doing a great job.  It's not said enough to parents so I am saying it, 'Well done, you are doing a bloody good job.'  I really struggled when my 3 boys were little.  I thought I was making a mess of it but now I realise that it was pretty full on and that I shouldn't have been so hard on myself emotionally and physically.

2. The second reason is that I have started to meditate.  Apart from anything else, it's a great reason to escape for 20 minutes.  I'm pretty sure that some of you incredible parents out there still think that a run to the supermarket is a break.  I'll bet that even when you go for a wee your kids are either in there with you, or hammering on the door to get in.  We often feel guilty for taking some time for ourselves.  Well we shouldn't.  Take the break or lose your mind! 

It's been about 5 months now since I did my first meditation.  The difference in me is really quite incredible.  I feel so much calmer.  I am so much happier.  I am so much nicer.   Our whole household feels better because I'm better.   My boys and my husband have not just noticed it but now actively encourage my meditation time!  Win Win.

I'm still learning so I listen to guided meditations on an app called Insight Timer . You can choose what kind of meditation you would like; one to help you sleep, or another if you are stressed or feeling anxious.  The benefits for me were apparent very quickly.  I can now sit and do NOTHING quite happily.  Nowadays our constant phone use has made us reliant on constant stimuli, so it's no wonder mental health issues are so common.  Meditation gives you a chance to press pause, zone in and emerge feeling like you've had a mini break without the kids.  Why wouldn't you give it a try?

So, to make your life easier, use Spice Pots in the kitchen (tenuous link I know!) and start to meditate.  Meditation should be prescribed for EVERYONE.

To read more about the benefits of meditation, read this article.

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