I think one of the things people really wonder about it what homeschooling moms do to recharge and how they get time away.
Where I live my local options for getting out are kind of slim, and I don't regularly go places without my children. My husband and I rarely (as in a handful in the last 5 years) use babysitters.
So how do I do it?
There are some things that I try to do daily and I really notice a spike in my stress levels if I get away from it.
I've found it's important for me to get up, get dressed, do my hair, ect, even if I'm not going anywhere or expecting company. It seems that if I get into a rut of slowly getting out of my pajamas that it impacts my mood. And how I perceive what I've accomplished for the day. I also strive to have some daily time to do my own devotionals, exercise, and quietly sip coffee.
My house isn't perfect- I have three small children and a dog. But I do like my bathroom and kitchen to stay clean and reasonably orderly. I feel stressed if I notice them get out of hand.
My husband and I do a lot of dates at home. We put the kids to bed and spend time playing games, watching movies, or just talking. We talk about our days, books we are reading, politics, religion, or whatever else is on our minds. I really treasure the time that we spend together and if he's gone I really miss him.
I think everyone has a different balance and need for outside social interaction. I'm very blessed by the people around me who come to visit or that we visit.
I love the dates-at-home concept. We used to do that, pre-children, but have gotten away from doing much of anything. I think I'll have to suggest a game to him. We play them with others all the time; using them for late-night dates is a great idea!
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