When my children were younger, one of the biggest mistakes that I made was not carving out time for me. I took care of my husband’s needs, my children’s needs, my house needs, and ministry needs, yet I did not carve out time for me. Because of this, I was a stressful, yelling mom, loaded down with all of these expectations on myself, and not taking time that I needed to recharge. I was taking care of everyone and everything but me. That all changed about three years ago when God began transforming this stressful, yelling mom into one who began earnestly setting aside sufficient time to study God’s Word, as well as extend myself the grace of a few minutes or even an hour of “me time” to recharge.

I became unburdened and refreshed. I no longer felt that my family’s needs always needed to come first, nor that my house had to be cleaned and organized to my expectations before I could even consider thinking about me. I finally believed that it was 100% okay for me, mom of three, to take “me time”.

Here are a few things that I have done in the last three years to carve out “me time”:

My personal devotions in the morning became non-negotiable.

Everyone and everything waits until I have enjoyed time with God first. It is my time to bask in His Word before I begin my day. For me it makes a world of difference when I wake up and enjoy this time before my children are awake, because then there are no interruptions or distractions.

I allow my kids to sleep in.

As a stay-at-home mom, I am with my kids all. day. long. And once my husband leaves to go to his office, I set aside 1 hour of uninterrupted “me time” before I wake up my kids. During that precious hour I spend my time wrapping up my devotions and writing articles.

I allow my kids to enjoy 1 to 2 hours of electronic games and/or movies during the day.

During this time not only do my kids get to relax, but I am free to enjoy a conversation with my husband, design graphics, answer messages, browse my Facebook news feed, read, or take a nap.

Now, did you notice that my circumstances have not changed? I am still a wife, a stay-at-home mom of three children, with a house to take care of as well as ministry responsibilities. Yet I have been transformed from a stressed, yelling mom, to one who puts her spiritual needs first. I have become proactive in carving out “me time” to be recharged so I can give even more to my family, home, and ministry.

Dear mom, take time for yourself. Extend yourself grace, and be proactive in carving out “me time” so that you will be refreshed to embrace your role as you raise this generation today.