What do you do to stay balanced in your life?

[Isa]

I thought it would be helpful to list ways we as mothers keep our balance in life given all of our different job responsibilities. I don't do anything spectacular, but I do try and get out at least a few times a month to do something I enjoy (i.e. the library, homeschool meeting, etc...). If I'm at home and need a break, I'll go off to my room for a little bit (this works best during the little one's naptime:)).

[gandpsmommy]

a little over a year ago I started reading again, just for my own pleasure. For five or six years my reading had mainly consisted of parenting and homeschooling books, cookbooks, organization/home management books, etc. I started reading classic novels again and non-fiction that wasn't so bogged down in the nitty gritty details of everyday life, but is more philosophical and mind-stimulating. This has been really good for me.

[Heather in the Kootenays]

I exercise and garden. I also go out to dinner with other homeschooling moms about once a month where we laugh loudly at all the things that didn't go quite right over the month,

[mrscopterdoc]

I've always been reader; can't say that I'm balanced though.:rolleyes:

I also play computer games. I have 2 that I play that I bought but I also play quick yahoo games just to 'chill out' and take a break once in awhile. It's surprising how popping balloons or breaking tiles or whatever can refresh you.

[Beth in Central TX]

I participate in a monthly book club, exercise 3-5 times a week, and try to go out to dinner with a group of friends at least once a quarter. If I'm at home and need to get away, I cross-stitch or scrapbook.

[WTMindy]

read, exercise, learn new things, go out on my own. Nothing major, just stuff I enjoy.

[Jenny in Atl]

Exercise, read, learn new things, make stuff (right now I'm learning ht make silver jewelry, very fun), take pictures, take walks, travel (when we can), watch movies, spend time just hanging with family and friends.

[CLHCO]

In truth, there are days I do too much of things I enjoy (online, reading, etc.) and I need to strike a balance by keeping up with responsibilities.

Of course, other times I am busy from outside pressure and I just go a little nuts. :eek: At that point I generally treat myself to a coffee out.

[sdWTMer]

~First & foremost, my relationship w/ God gives me more sanity than most things, including going to church on Sundays and Wednesdays.
~I get Friday nights to myself while dh takes the boys to chess -- big help there.
~Knitting
~Listening to my talk radio
~Getting together w/ other homeschoolers for playdates, field trips and mom's night out.

[Mekanamom]

Things we do to balance the homeschooling and mom duties? I indulge myself way too much sometimes. Then the homeschooling balances me out. It's nice to have such a constant and consistent thing to do with the kids. (Huh, actually, the kids often join me in most of the things I'm about to list.)

Here is what I indulge in:

The horses (Everything about them, feeding, training, riding, hoof care, grooming, facilities planning and management, research on horse health & nutrition... it never ends. It's great.)

Fiber arts (sheep management, shearing, processing the fleece, spinning the wool, knitting, crochet, dyeing, natural dye gardening, and lord help me... I'm interested in learning all about felting too.)

Gardening

Reading (I read a LOT, often just to unwind and get wrapped up in a good story.)

Music

Art (I'm no good at it, but I'll start various projects every now and then. I just downloaded an upgrade to paint shop pro to teach myself a little photography)

Physical Exercise (I'm not as consistent with this as I used to be. DH and I just started working out together again yesterday. :) This is one of the rare things the kids do not do with me.)

What I need to do more of is get out of my own head more often and spend more time with friends who have different interests.

[Cathy in TX]

Exercise (20 minutes/day with Denise Austin)

Read (preferably with a cup of hot tea, dosed with sugar and a liberal dash of half-and-half)

At three o'clock, school books go up, kids go outside, and I grab a cup of tea and a book. This is my sanity time. :)

Cathy

[lynn]

Exercise. Bunco Night with the ladies. Lunch or breakfast out by myself. Daily/weekend chats with my best friend and/or sister.

[lynn]

One more thing. Since turning 40, I want to set and reach a couple new goals every year. Last year was running up to 7 miles:D and loosing 30lbs which I wanted to do for years. This year ride a motorcycle so I can go trail riding with the boys instead of staying at base, which I didn't mind, but now I want to ride also. I also want to read more history books, my goal is 4 for the year. Oh an taking a classes each semester.

[dangermom]

Go to the gym or exercise at home. Next fall I want to start walking in the morning with two friends, too. I grab chances to sew, read a lot, and have a weekly date night with my husband.

[Cathy in TX]

One more thing...I love to cook and bake.

[Tammy in Germany]

I enjoy reading, writing, hiking around our home...I have a 5 mile path. When the weather is bad, I hop on the treadmill. Also, just sitting outside and enjoying the peace and beauty around me is wonderful.

[Kristiana]

I'm not sure I'm anywhere near balanced ;) but I play in a symphony orchestra so that at least gets me out of the house with other adults every Tuesday night. It is nice, though sometimes I'd rather have those 3 hours to just go and do something else completely by myself.

I also spend time in the scriptures and I'm trying to read more, beyond parenting and homeschooling books. I also take one night a week to sit and watch a movie with dh and cross-stitch. It's very relaxing. I'm trying to work exercise back into my life.

[cin]

My girls go to gramma's every Friday at 12:30. Saturday Morning, DH takes over and I get to sew or read (or occasionally SLEEP) which is wonderful!!!

I'm in a MOPS group and on the steering team so I get 2 nights a month with that and occasional socials.

[mcconnellboys]

I read, talk with other moms while we're waiting for our children at outside classes, take hot baths, eat stuff I really love, drink Port, watch HGTV, and come here! (In that order, LOL.....)
Regena

[Donna]

I take and teach taekwondo classes, read now that the kids are old enough to not need me constantly and are involved in activities that require me to sit for a long time watching, and go to church on Sundays.

I work 2 days a week to get my baby-fix--I do physical therapy on kids under 3.

Now that the weather has started to warm, I have been running with my oldest son in the mornings as well.

[Donna]

I take and teach taekwondo classes, read now that the kids are old enough to not need me constantly and are involved in activities that require me to sit for a long time watching, and go to church on Sundays. I also chat with other homeschooling moms.

I work 2 days a week to get my baby-fix--I do physical therapy on kids under 3.

Now that the weather has started to warm, I have been running with my oldest son in the mornings as well.

[j.griff]

I play Beetle Bomp with my MP3's playing loudly, :D
Saw a t-shirt yesterday at Spencers that said
"I get s***-faced drunk, how do YOU handle stress?" LOL

[KidsHappen]

I have even managed to fit in a little of both this past month although I had to watch some of the new episodes late.