“I do not save time, I spend it. Time is the one thing you cannot save. Time is spent without even trying. Don’t save time, use the time that you have wisely.” –Danielle Bath, caregiver and mother of three.
Sixty seconds is all it takes to recharge, get an energy boost, or mentally, emotionally, and physically repair. My Minute is a weekly tip segment that offers easy ways to make your daily minutes work for you.
This Week’s My Minute: Reap Your Own Rewards
Reward charts have replaced knock-off Degas prints or framed vacation collages in the houses of my friends. Successful potty moment? You get a star! A week of good homework reports? A smiley face! Two nights of the veggie clean plate club completed? Put a ribbon next to your name! We are expert at devising creative systems to reward our children for practicing good habits and learning healthy life skills, but when it comes to our own goals, habits, and practices, we rarely dole out our own accolades. More than anyone, caregivers who are also busy moms leading busy lives have earned permission to give themselves a gold star more than every once in a while. Here are a couple of ways to get you thinking creatively about a Caregiver/mom Reward System:
- A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Errand Go Down: Got a weekly or regular errand that you dislike? Pair it with a small treat like a novelty café drink or a favorite magazine.
- Starve Stress, Feed Your Soul: Don’t run headlong from one stressful situation into the next one. Stop. Take a break. Reward yourself for your resilience and strength in handling a difficult period with an indulgence of your choosing.
When you take care of your well-being and promote your own self-worth, you are teaching your family good, healthy, productive practices that will earn them gold stars in the biggest reward chart of all: life.
