Three Important Rituals for All Moms

Moms are the busiest people. Working moms, stay-at-home moms, and work-at-home moms alike share in the many responsibilities and priorities that come with motherhood. Not only that, they all have one thing in common: they put themselves last. Many times, this results in moms feeling exhausted, underappreciated, and lost because they forget who they once were as women. Although it may not be possible to get away from work, family, and household responsibilities, moms can stay sane and happy if they remember to make three rituals as part of their priorities: a date night, a girls' night out, and alone time. But why are these rituals so important to the sanity and well-being of all moms? Let's take a look at each of them:

Ritual #1: Date Night

Many parents believe that after having kids, quality and quantity time together, and sometimes even sex, become virtually non-existent. All the time and attention go to the children. But as important as the family is, the parents' relationship is especially important because that is the foundation of the entire family unit. Not only that, moms crave intimacy, affection, romance, and good conversation. Date nights help mom and dad to remain close and connected to one another. It is so easy to get caught up with the children that they lose themselves in the mix.

Date nights do not have to be expensive or elaborate or only at night. Eating out, going to a movie, taking a stroll in the park or having a picnic, having coffee and conversation together, sitting on the beach, visiting a museum - these are all great ideas for dates, as long as mom and dad are together and that they are having fun just being in each other's company. Just as a car needs regular tune-ups to function well, so does a marriage.

Ritual #2: Girls' Night Out

It is probably a scientific fact that women need female companionship. A mom needs her girlfriends. Friends help keep mom sane and grounded. She looks to her friends to cry, vent, express herself, and just to talk because that's what women like to do. It's a major bonus if her friends are moms as well because she can take comfort that she is not the only one who feels on the verge of a meltdown.

The possibilities for a night out are endless when women get together. Dinner and dancing are always fun. Being pampered is the last thing on a mom's list so a visit to a spa with the girls allows mom to indulge in herself. But sometimes staying in, watching a chick flick, and having homemade spa treatments are the ultimate relaxation. But no matter what the plan is, spending time with girlfriends allows mom to reconnect with who she is as a woman because she is more than just a mom.

Ritual #3: Alone Time

Sometimes, a date night or girls' night out get worked in more often than alone time. Many moms overlook this simple but important ritual. Motherhood is demanding. It seems like a mother's work is never done. So mom's needs are pushed to the very last of the list. But if mom is tired and irritable from overworking herself, then she is unable to function at her very best in other areas of her life. And that means that her work and her family will suffer. Scheduling alone time also prevents mom from being resentful of not being taken care of or feeling underappreciated. Sometimes solitude can help her to appreciate herself as a woman and as a mother.

Alone time doesn't have to be long or it can last several hours if it's possible. Some wonderful ideas are a brisk walk, sitting at a coffee shop, shopping, getting a massage, or even taking a nap. Moms need that downtime to gather herself and regain her energy.

With already so much on their plate, how are moms expected to sneak these rituals into their busy lives? The best way to make them happen is to schedule them as they would an appointment: ahead of time. This way, moms will expect them and have something to look forward to. It also keeps the family informed of when mom (and dad, in the case of date night), will not be available. This may be easier said than done but it is possible if moms make these rituals a priority.