There’s a well known phrase that I have now adopted as my mantra, ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup.’ I totally underestimated the importance of this quote….until I was completely empty, now I will never underestimate the importance of self care for Mummies, particularly Mummies of Square Pegs, again.

Raising a square peg (in fact, any child) and siblings is exhausting. I was exhausted before I went to work, exhausted when I was at work, exhausted when I got home from work, so by the time the kids had gone to bed, I was just, well, exhausted! (There’s some sort of theme going on here don’t you think?) I would then flop on the sofa, down a large bar of Dairy Milk with a mint Magnum chaser….well that’s self care isn’t it? Eating chocolate and ice cream makes me happy….that is until I’d gained 3st in weight because of it….

So this is what I’ve learnt, obviously everyone’s situation is different and not all of these may be possible for some people but these work for me…

1. Fresh air and exercise

This is my absolute number 1 tip. Even if it’s raining, put on your coat and wellies, get out and jump in some puddles. It’s a lovely feeling when you get back in the warm and dry out, then have a hot chocolate….bliss! I know it’s not always easy for Mummies to get out alone, but if you can get out for just 30 minutes then that will help. I put my headphones in walk, sing (when I think no one is in earshot) and enjoy walking in my own little world.

2. Eat healthy

The hardest thing to do when you’re exhausted is prepare healthy meals. Lots of times I said ‘Oh just stick a pizza in, I can’t be bothered to cook.’ Then we wondered why we kept getting ill. It is totally worth the effort to prepare and plan healthy food for the week ahead. You will feel healthier and have more energy. I’m currently following the Slimming World plan and I’ve lost 10lb in 5 weeks and really starting to notice the difference. I order my shopping online to arrive Friday evening and try to spend Sunday preparing meals. For example, I would make a large stew in the slow cooker, roast a gammon joint and/or cook a big roast. Or a huge Bolognese, chilli con carne or shepherd’s pie etc. So the rest of the week is easy as we just reheat the leftovers and that works for us.

3. Read

For Christmas I asked for a Kindle Paperwhite and it’s amazing. It is so important to squeeze in some time for reading, to become engrossed in the story and forget about the stresses of the real world. I am fussy about the books I read, particularly as I like to read just before bed. I can only read lighthearted uplifting books. If I read something tense or sad then I just can’t sleep.

So here’s a few of my lighthearted book recommendations – Eleanor Oliphant is Completly Fine by Gail Honeyman, The Cactus by Sarah Haywood, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel and of the course the Helen Fielding classic Bridget Jones’ Diary.

4. Write

For my birthday I asked for an iPad with a keyboard, I thought, hey I could write a blog about my family and the challenges of trying to raise a child with autism. I have always loved writing, as a child I used to write poetry and football commentaries for imaginary football matches, always involving Spurs beating Liverpool…I find it therapeutic to write about things.

5. Friends

Belly laughs and giggles with friends is the best tonic. My favourite things to do with my friends are going out for a meal and shopping. If you can’t physically get out to meet them, then chat over social media.

6. Big Bubbly Wubbly Bubble Bath

Last but not least, a big bubbly wubbly bubble bath – An easy one, pour loads of your favourite bubbles in a big deep bath and relax. Light some candles, play relaxing music or an audiobook and chill out.

Mummies, you so deserve and need to have some time out for yourself. I hope my tips help.

Let me know what works for you in the comments below.

Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee