Don't forget to take care of yourself

This post is written by health/fitness contributor, Melissa.  She also blogs at On The Go Healthy Mom.

Being a mom is exhausting! Right? But the hugs, the thank you's, and the smiles, that is what makes it all worth it!

I like to think of my responsibility as a mom, more of as a mother. When I think of me being a mom it consists of running around, cleaning, making lunch, and getting kids ready. However, as a mother, I think of me as something more, a God-given gift that He has entrusted us to teach his children. So while I am running around doing a million things for them, living in the MOMENT, teaching them, talking to them, and loving them.

Being an example to your kids speaks VOLUMES!  Show them that you care by giving them that smile back.  Show them that you care by giving them a hug. Say thank you to them. Your ACTIONS and WORDS are so very important.

In those moments when you want to throw in the towel and hide in your room, REMEMBER THIS.

Do something to take care of YOU, while taking care of THEM.

As mothers we are great multi-taskers. Exercising, planning out your family meals, doing Yoga, reading a motivational book, bubble bath, getting ready, etc. It's OK to put ourselves first doing something good that will set an example, because it will give us the energy we need for our kids.

I know many of us think that we are too tired to exercise, too tired to do one more thing. We can make up a million excuses of what else needs to be done, but taking the time for YOU will give you that extra boost of confidence, an extra boost of energy.  You will be amazed at how better you feel emotionally and mentally. So set that example and know that you can do something for them, while doing something for you first. When we are doing these things for ourselves, we are showing that example. It's a WIN-WIN.

So think of your responsibility as a GREAT one. Think of it as a good exhausting. You are building up little people, to be amazing human beings that will one day do AMAZING things. Despite all the tantrums, crying, middle-of-the-night wake UPs! You are a great mother and your children deserve your love and attention.  Even if it's the attention of the example you are setting.

Make sure you are doing something each day to take care of YOU. I promise it will be worth it!

Thanks for checking in,

Melissa