Moms are a crucial. Moms are vital. Moms are completely essential.
We are a central part of the family. We always joke that if mom gets ill, the family would crumble. That may not be far from the truth. If we go down, the family goes down with us. None of us wants that.
So, my dear mommy pals, who do you turn to in times of stress to keep from crumbling? You need SUPPORT!
A support system is important for busy moms. It’s easy to get weighed down by doctor’s appointments, work deadlines, family obligations, and housework. Hanging across the bed crying your eyes out is usually a sign to activate your stress support system.
A mom’s stress support system consists of her circle of acquaintances, family, friends, and professional associations. Anyone that is willing to stand in the gap for you when you need something becomes a part of the system. In turn, you are a part of that system for someone else.
Start with your family. They are the system’s first line of defense.
When mom gets overloaded, family members will notice first. Their radar will go off before anyone else’s. Don’t be afraid to ask your spouse to wash the dishes or help with homework because you need a minute to yourself.
Children are particularly sensitive to changes in the home. I cannot even begin to count the number of times that Elisabeth made a card for me telling me how much she loved me because she saw that I was down. It made me cry even harder. She must have thought that I was cracking up, but I was happy. The support system had worked.
Your other family members are a part of the system.
What about sisters? There is something about sisters. Best girlfriends for life! Sisters can get REAL. You can’t fake off a sister. They know your stuff and can see right through you! There are definitely no secrets between sisters–my sister and I even shared a room growing up. We knew everything about each other. We can talk and laugh when something is bothering us. We might not come up with a solution but the laughter reduces the stress. It’s nice to be understood and have some ice cream when you’re down.
Professional associations are important to the stress support system, too. If the source of the stress is a legal matter, a lawyer can help you to see your way clear to a solution. The same goes for a good mechanic, doctor, hairstylist, and educator. It’s amazing how much easier stressful situations are to handle when you have professionals at hand who you can lean on … and trust. Your car breaks down? No problem. Just call Tony, your trusty mechanic. Kids have a toothache? No worries. Dr. Connell will save the day. Stress comes from the most unlikely places so your support system needs to include as many different sources of help as you can find.
I have also found answers and close friendships on the Internet. Don’t weird out on me! We have intentionally set up very safe spots online for moms to get support. There is nothing quite like Talk-a-Latte. Words cannot express what Talk-a-Latte means to me. You just have to experience it for yourself. Even our private mommy message boards has been such a treat when I’ve been stressed and needed help. I love our Yahoo Group. I am QUICKLY becoming addicted to Twitter and Facebook (look me up: Cindy Rushton at Facebook and http://www.Twitter.com/cindyrushton) If that is not enought, I LOVE this blog! And, that is just what WE have to offer. The sky is the limit online!
Moms have many websites that cater to them and their special needs whether they are a stay at home mom, work at home mom, military mom, homeschooling mom, working mom, etc. You may never meet these other women in person, but a close bond can be formed across the digital highway. Your closest friend could be in cyberspace. There’s nothing wrong with that. Turn to them if you need to talk. You don’t have to go it alone.
A support system is crucial for stress management. If you don’t have one, start recruiting today. Moms can always use the extra support.
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