• There are moments during the day that I actually "get" what it means to be a mom. Oprah calls these moments "light bulb" moments. I call them "lightening strike" moments. Where the realization is so strong that more voltage goes through you than a light bulb could make. Those wonderful moments where everything is perfect, the kids are loving on each other, playing or one of my kids does a "first" and we have a "moment". It's great and I try to fill the day with these moments, you know which ones I am referring to. Hold on to these moments, they will get you through those "in your own corner" moments.
• I call a break down moment, when everything is upside down and you don't think you can take anymore, "in your own corner" moments. I can hear the "ding, ding" of the bell and the ref is saying "back in your corners" folks. These are the moments where the kids are usually tired, have been home all day, hungry and I am not fast enough with the food, a non sharing moment or just a fussing moment. I usually go to my corner or my room and Nicholas and Maddie in their corners, their rooms. We all have a little cry and then it's back together again. We hug, make up, tell each other we love one another, and go on. We all have those moments (breaking or I HAVE HAD ENOUGH moments). It's a good idea to separate, and then regroup for a hug!!
• It's a good idea to EXCEPT help when it comes your way! If you and a friend can switch off during the week, each watching the others kid while the one takes a break, it helps. I found that an hour or two away from the kids, to do something for myself, helped me tremendously. So if you can afford a babysitter, or have an arrangement with a friend or are lucky enough to have the grandparents near you, take the opportunity to be alone. I was one that "could do it all by myself". Not so ladies. I had a hard time after Maddie was born. I suffered through Post Partum Depression and am finally getting help for it, my hormones where a little off. That "a little off" some days left my crying in my room and had a "I don't want to do this today" mood. So mamas', if you can and are willing, take the help when you can get it.
• If you can get out of the house for a few minutes or have a few minutes in the morning, go exercise. A walk to start your day or run can be refreshing and good for the body! You will not only fill better about yourself, but you aren't starting the day groggy and grumpy.
• If you can hire a cleaning company to help you once a week, twice a month or even once a month, get it. Just that little extra help can save you A LOT work time. It's one less thing that you would have to worry about and give you that break you may need during the day to be alone instead of clean.
   

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We all need that extra break as I said before, but sometimes it is hard to find the right person for the job. Be extra careful in whom you pick to watch your kids. Here are some extra tips for safety:

• install a security camera
• make a copy of the sitters license, just in case you in a photo ID
• If you go through a company, do a little research first on the background of the company.
• If possible use a recommendation
• Hire a college student who needs the work and has the energy to keep up with the kids.
• Keep an eye on the kid’s reaction when the sitter comes. If you listen, the kids can tell you everything even through their body language
• I once had a sitter I THOUGHT was going a great job, but come to find out, she wasn’t. We had a friend work on our house and when I left to run errands and the kids were left with the sitter, HE was the one taking care of them. Thank goodness he told me the sitter did NOTHING and let them run through the house. That was all I needed to hear, she wasn’t playing or watching them closely. Now, I am even MORE careful than before!!
• Make sure you have references that check out.
• Have the sitter’s number or family number where you can always reach them, make sure they are genuine and call once.
• If you know your sitter thinks you are going to be gone awhile, make it a habit to just “pop in” early and see how everything is going.
• I always stayed home the first couple of weeks that I had help in the afternoons, just to be sure the kids were used to the new sitter. Luckily, besides the one that completely fooled me, I have two wonderful helpers in the afternoon and the kids have loved them.
• Make a list of questions you want to ask and NEVER feel funny or embarrassed to ask anything. This is your kids’ safety for a couple of hours and YOU want to feel secure in knowing they are being taken care of.
• Always follow you instinct. If you are conducting an interview, watching the body language of the person, listening to what is being said and you feel a little unsure, then that’s all you need to stop and move on.

If you have any suggestions to add, please email me with your contact information and I would love to post them on the site!!