• Home
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

for the family

everyday wisdom for everyday families

  • start here
    • Meet Patrick and Ruth
    • Meet the Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Videos
  • For Better or For Kids
  • You
    • Following God
    • Ministry
    • Relationships
  • Family
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Fatherhood
    • Parenting
      • Special Needs
      • Babies
      • Toddlers
      • Teens
    • Discipleship
  • Food
  • Shop

Family Motherhood

Mom, You Need Oxygen (Plus a Giveaway)

footprints sand

I am a responsible mom. The mom who throughly cleans the house before my grandkids, friends, and in-laws come over, even though I know the combined kids (thirteen of them) will completely mess up the house.

I am a diligent mom. We have family dinners and nightly storytime. My kids always have clean clothes. We listen to Bible songs in the car.

I am a thoughtful mom. I encourage my kids. I (rarely) raise my voice. I listen to my kids and make eye contact with them when I do.

I am an exhausted mom. It’s hard work being responsible, being diligent, being thoughtful.

I am a mom who needs a break once in a while. Even though I don’t like to admit it. I think that I can keep going, going, going. (I can’t.)

Recently, I had the chance to write the novelization for Moms’ Night Out. One section talks about a mom’s need for “oxygen.” And in the novel it goes something like this:

Instead of anger at [Allyson] making plans without asking [Sean], his face brightened. “You know how a flight attendant goes through the safety thing?” He talked with his hands, emphasizing his words, walking back toward them. “You know when you have to put on your oxygen first before assisting others?”

Allyson’s brow furrowed, and she wondered where he was going with this. “Are we flying somewhere is this what we’re doing?” She cocked her head to the side.

“You need your oxygen mask, Allyson. You need your mask on, before assisting others.” He pointed his fingers to Allyson, then to Bridget and then back to her. “Right? Before you can help others.”

I remember watching this movie and writing that scene. I also told myself, “I need to pay attention to this.” It wasn’t a passing thought. I told myself to REALLY pay attention.

For years (honestly) I rarely took a break. I went and went and went. And then I crashed. I’d get emotional. I’d feel like I was the Worst. Mom. Ever. I needed . . . oxygen. Yes, I needed (and still need) to pay attention to that cinematic advice.

Four ways to get oxygen:

  1. A long conversation with a friend. With no kids around. To talk about adult stuff. To share dreams. To talk about shoes or a Scripture verse you read this week. On the phone is fine. In person is better.
  2. A date night with your husband to watch a movie you really want to see. A movie that doesn’t have dancing puppets or talking animals. A movie that will cause your heart to pound or make you laugh or cry—your choice.
  3. A visit to the library. Or the mall. Or the park. Or the museum—wherever you can get charged up.
  4. Or, like in the movie Moms’ Night Out, go out with a group of friends. Dress up. Go out for a nice dinner. Or . . . maybe a fun night of roller skating or bowling.

Moms may feel guilty for getting oxygen, but when we care for ourselves, we’re able to care for others even better. Everyone, even diligent, thoughtful, and exhausted moms, need oxygen. Where are you going to get yours today?

I’m giving away two copies of Moms’ Night Out! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the U.S. are eligible to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blessings,

Tricia Goyer

Want to keep up with Tricia?
Subscribe
Read up
Best $2.99 you’ll ever spend: Balanced: Finding Center As a Work-at-Home Mom

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)


About Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is a CBA best-selling author of 33 novels and the winner of two American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Awards (Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights).  She co-wrote 3:16 Teen Edition with Max Lucado and contributed to the Women of Faith Study Bible.  Tricia is the host of a weekly radio show, Living Inspired.  Also, a noted marriage and parenting writer, she lives with her husband and children in Arkansas.  You can join her atTriciaGoyer.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

« Couple Identity
Rest in Him »

Comments

  1. Kathleen Doty Andrews says

    May 22, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    To get some “oxygen”, I would like to get together with some friends and go have a meal together then see a movie. Connecting with friends brings a fresh perspective on life.

  2. Gigi says

    May 22, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    My favorite way to “get oxygen” is to have over a friend with children, so that her children can entertain mine while she and I have tea and chat together.

  3. Katherine says

    May 22, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    A long talk with my best friend always gives me “oxygen.”

  4. Mama Fry says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Just some time away from the schedule and planning for our homeschool.

  5. Laura Phillips says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I love this analogy! I’ve been thinking about how to get some time to myself. I tend to run errands without my girls. Even a few minutes roaming up and down the aisles at the grocery store helps.

  6. RaSheena says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    First, I have to say I love this post. Sometimes I feel like a terrible mother for needing time alone, because they always need me. My favorite way to get oxygen is having dinner with friends. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it is so refreshing…and my hubby is so supportive of this.

  7. DebbiesDigest says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    Favorite ways to get oxygen into my life are: walks in a park or a place with a lot of nature and few cars, do some doodling, read a good book for myself (not for homeschooling or for planning our homeschool), do some scrapbooking (digital or paper), play on the Wii.

  8. bethanylebedz says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    Yes please! Need this!!

  9. Tisha says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    Thank for this post and most especially, the reminder. I choose to read for “oxygen”. Even listening to books while folding laundry or cooking helps. :o)

  10. Elissa Philgence says

    May 22, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    I have not done any of those in forever. I am not even sure I have a oxygen mask. But God is good and faithful.
    Thanks for the gift and for sharing your God-given talent with me. I truly appreciated it.

    Peace to you.

  11. crystalburks says

    May 22, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Through exercise or quiet time at the pool with a book. 🙂

  12. Karen Johnson says

    May 22, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    Go for a walk. Normally I only get time away if I do something like go grocery shopping.

  13. Rebekah says

    May 23, 2014 at 12:22 am

    I get oxygen from shopping…alone! whew! It’s a treat 🙂

  14. Beckie Stoneking says

    May 23, 2014 at 1:25 am

    Sleep. Its my favorite.

  15. Constitutionchic says

    May 23, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Getting to read!

  16. Darcey Zahaykevich says

    May 24, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    Sometimes it is just getting to bed at the end of the day. Lately it has been such a relief.

  17. cezovski says

    May 27, 2014 at 7:50 am

    Taking a nice hot bubble bath and reading a good book!
    Rafflecopter: Carolsue

Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by our blog. We are absolutely thrilled you are here! We are a crazy church planting couple who loves Jesus, our four kids and loads of coffee! We are giving God the glory every step of the way and love sharing our journey with you.

Read more about us

Subscribe and receive our free guide to help you get through this season of suffering.

POPULAR POSTS

  • How to Build a Christian Home
  • 10 Little Things to Bring Peace into Your Home
  • No Bake Coconut Snowballs (GF)
  • 5 Simple Prayers That Will Make You a Better Parent
  • Five Lessons of Wisdom from Abigail

Categories

Search For the Family

Copyright © 2022 For the Family · Design by Bethany Beams

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.