Anyone else having problems getting motivated?

I hate it when I get like this. My two oldest are in school, the baby is sleeping, and The View just ended. What would any normal mother do? Clean the house, do laundry, dishes, etc....Not me. I decide (for the 3rd time this week) to sleep with the baby. Anyone else have this problem? If not, I need TIPS!!!

Tags: motivation, naps

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Permalink Reply by The Peveteaux-Goldmans on September 12, 2008 at 11:54am: Nap!! Seriously, nap! Never underestimate the exhaustion brought upon by baby-raising.

I would usually lay down when my baby slept and think about all the things I needed to be doing (laundry, dishes, returning emails and phone calls). I do not recommend that approach.

You can also grab a book or a magazine and lay down and see if that relaxes you enough to take a break and feel like you "did" something while resting.

But really, if you need to do the dishes, wait until your baby is awake and happily bouncing in their bouncy chair or swinging away and do the chores. Then you can nap guilt-free if need be.

Take it easy,

April; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jessica wright on September 15, 2008 at 9:26am: Thanks for the advice!!! Now if I could only get my husband to agree!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anci on September 16, 2008 at 10:39am: when my daughter is sleeping ( although I always say I'll nap too,I never do) I am doing the dishes, the ironing and so on. I really should try to nap, because some days I am really tired...so yeah, enjoy a good nap every time you can...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RosieGoa on September 24, 2008 at 3:40am: I often have this problem. I've relied on sharp shots of coffee in the past but have ended up with major coffee addiction which I still battle with and won't wish upon anyone. When I really can't be as*** doing stuff I'm meant to be doing, I say to myself "just do 10 mins of any one of the things you should be doing and take it from there, and then do what you want to do" (ie sleep with the baby - yum!). Usually I end up rolling on and doing quite a few of the things I was meant to do, and quite quickly, and then getting to sleep with the baby or some other nice thing. When I really can't pluck up the courage, I say to myself "OK, choose one thing beneficial to our lives, even if it's not a top priority, whatever it is you can actually convince yourself to do, and roll from there...." Once again it seems to get the ball rolling. Hope this helps! This is advice really only if you actually really HAVE to be doing anything. If you actually need a sleep, go ahead and enjoy and don't beat yourself up about it! A few years down the line your life will have changed and you'll have different preoccupations....one's other than the need for sleep.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anci on September 24, 2008 at 12:14pm: rosiegoa...I think I'll take your advice myself LOOL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Khymn on October 22, 2008 at 8:48pm: It comes in waves - sometimes I'm all gung-ho and follow my planned chores, but that means I am definitely in bed by 10pm. On the other hand, if I take a nap with the baby, things don't get done, but I can spend a little more time with my fiance in the evening...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zicea Becks on October 27, 2008 at 2:15am: I dunno...if I was at home all day, my house probably never get clean....who wants to clean on purpose. I'd take a nap too.

I guess as long as nobody runs out of draws (underwear) then you're good.

I really don't know what to suggest for more engery though...I always went back to work after they let me out of the hospital...so I never stopped going.

Maybe if you just made a rule to not do anything (besides get the others off to school) until noon, that would help. So then it's a set time to say to yourself, "okay, get your lazy a*s up, Jessica!"

Personally, I don't see a problem with you catching a nap.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by gretchen on November 19, 2008 at 2:11pm: I wish I could help, but I end up taking that nap many days. Especially if it's cloudy outside. ;) My baby wakes up around 6, so she's napping by 8 ... the perfect time for me to get a little extra sleep, too. Hey, sleep boosts your immune system, helps you lose weight ... and makes you more cheerful, right?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ayesha on November 21, 2008 at 12:22am: sleep.................. mothers are always deprived of it
get a power nap (a short but cosy nap) and then do your chores if u like.
i do it and it always works.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by aussiemum21 on November 27, 2008 at 6:35pm: I agree I think you should Nap!! I never did, I only slept at night time and never during the day, I was one of those mothers that cleaned the house and did everything, so after a while it would catch up on my, my son is now 9 months old and I am back at work and do I MISS sleep, I would love to go for a nap during the day now because I am so exhausted, I am now on iron tablets as I have become so lethargic that I could fall asleep anywhere but cant now, HONESTLY take the chance to nap whilst you can and dont feel guilty about it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arlyn on January 26, 2009 at 11:29am: Oh I'm SO Glad I'm not the only one having these 'Stay-At-Home BLAH Days'.. Some days I just gotta force myself to nap.. cos it's just not fun to be getting the headaches few days down due to lack of rest and exhaustion..

So yeah.. I'd say.. "Go NAP!" even if it's just 20 minutes :D; ▶ Reply to This