Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Taking care of me

Time for my Tuesday fitness bulletin! The whole selling-my-house-in-a-week idea sidetracked me a little. The heat and humidity continue to discourage my efforts at walking. But somehow, all this upheaval makes me more committed than ever. I can either use this move as an excuse for staying heavy another two years, or I can use this as the ultimate test of will. Let's face it, it's never harder to cook healthy than when your kitchen is in cardboard boxes!

Also had my final dental work done today, and I have now maxxed out the $1000 insurance benefit. Am I the only stay-at-home mom who feels guilty about depleting the family coffers with my own needs? I know I contribute to our budget in many ways, but it still makes me feel terrible to be withdrawing without a paycheck. Still, taking care of health and appearance should be a need for all of us moms, not just a want. Perhaps if I think of it as investing in myself, I'll be motivated to get a good return for my money!

9 comments:

cdorsey said...

I hear ya. I have the hardest time spending money on myself for even the basic things. Hair cuts? I wait for a $5.00 coupon from Master Cuts or Super Cuts or Whatever Cuts. How come I can see that you should absolutely take care of yourself, you should have no guilt over the dental bill, and treat yourself to goodies for the awesome job you do as mother and wife, but I can't see it for me?? I guess it's just a mom thing.

Anonymous said...

Meredith-
I probably sound now like the "older woman" in Titus (sigh...and I guess at 42 I'm starting to approach that category!), but, seriously, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!!! My oldest is 16 and I feel like for most of these past 16 years, I have taken almost no care of my own needs. I am telling you, being a great mom is a very long-term thing, and you do need to care for your own needs or you will begin to sputter out before the race is finished. I am facing some of that myself- too many things ignored for too long. Don't feel guilty, because your family would fall apart without you! And as far as the dental benefit, it seems like most of the time only one person in the family has a lot of med/dental claims during any given year. We're now in August, so your family will probably be fine.
And as last thought, I sure admire your willingness to keep walking in this tremendous heat and humidity! Some days here lately, I feel like I am going to pass out just walking out to get the mail!
Blessings, Meredith!-
Susan

Anonymous said...

Yes I vote to keep yourself fit too! Also if you don't pay now for some upkeep later believe you me you will pay with even more $ and regrets later! Take it from one who knows. As the saying goes if you don't take care of yourself how will you be able to take care of others...You are one of the foundations of your home...stay strong!! I battle the thought that my familys needs always come first too {we all do} and there are always needs but get the things done and bought you need too. Scimp on something else. We are with you in spirit.

Anonymous said...

I too have guilty feelings about taking care of myself--including over $6,000 in TMJ dental work not covered by insurance!!!--but intellectually I know moms deserve the same care and treatment they give to their families. Let's just keep reminding each other!

Marie said...

You are sweet to feel guilty. For the first time in years I got every last dental item taken care of and I was like woo hoo! Got away with it!

Anonymous said...

OK so I AM the older woman in Titus (52) and ladies you can't fill the family wells if yours is empty. Your husband needs you, your children need you, your homes needs you, your friends needs you, if you have parents near by, then they need you too. How will you have the energy, or strenght to give them all there needs when you are not taking the time to fill up your well and take care of you? The answer is simple, you will not and that is how Satan likes it. He likes it when we fail to fill up and take care of our selves; then we can't help our "Family". He wants the "Family" to fail. Don't give in to the temptation to think little of yourselves or what you bring as a paycheck. Don't let Satan win. OK I'll get off my soap box now and go back to enjoying this wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...

Meredith,

If it was your husband or child who needed dental work, you would schedule it without a second thought. After over 10 years of putting it off, I had some dental work done in 2004 - why didn't I do it sooner? I perceived it as a cosmetic problem only. My new dentist helped me decide to go ahead when he told me, "If you were my wife, I would want you to do this."
2 years later it has made NO DIFFERENCE in the family's bottom line. We are not one penny poorer for it. The dental work really was an investment in me, but it was also an investment in my family's perception of me as an individual to be valued and cared for.

Stay-at-home Susan in San Antonio

Anonymous said...

There is a reason the flight attendant tells you to put on your oxygen mask, instead of first putting it on the children. If you do not take care of yourself , you can not take care of others. In addition, any delay in dental work usually ends up costing you alot more. Good teeth, good health, good Mom!!!!

Anonymous said...

Meredith:

I am facing the same realization about myself. Would it help to look into the same Scripture from which you took your blog name? That's what I've been letting God use with me this week ; )

The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 "Strengthens her arms with exercise" (simple weight lifting in this heat is prefereable to walking outside. Check out jorgecruise.com) and she clothed HERSELF in beautiful fabrics as well as her children.

I'm right there with you, learning to say yes to my body's needs as equally important and foundational to the health of my family. Your conscientiousness will be a little voice nudging you to not go overboard.

Yay on the house sale!

Debbie