Martyr Syndrome

12.23.2012


I've always been someone who has a bit of trouble with martyr syndrome.  You know, the person who puts every one's needs before their own and then complains about how no one appreciates them (yes, I fully realize that this is a ridiculously unattractive quality in a person).  And truth be told, it's probably gotten worse since the baby's been born.  She's almost nine months old and if you don't count work I think that I've been away from both kids at once approximately three times - once for a doctor's appointment (that shouldn't even count, right?), once to go see Wicked with my sister (thanks for the great birthday present, Ben!), and once to go on a bike ride with Ben (yep, that was our hot date).  And when I'm not out, I'm home cooking and washing and folding and feeding and pumping and making all the baby food.


But I had a change of heart this weekend as I realized that nine months is long enough to put everything and everyone before yourself.  And after nine months of doing for others, I shouldn't feel guilty about doing something for myself.  So on Friday I did something that I haven't done in over a year - I took a nice, long, hot bath.  Granted I had a little three year old sitting beside the bathtub the whole time begging to come in (she had even taken off all her clothes - that girl really knows how to work a guilt-trip) but I told her not tonight.  And yesterday when I should have been cleaning the house for my mother-in-law's visit, I packed up the baby and went on a nice long walk around the neighborhood.  And this morning, I went out to brunch with my sister - no babies in tow.

Which is all just to say that I think that I've turned a corner.  And yes, I realize that 2012 is not yet over, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's going to be a great 2013.

9 comments:

  1. Good on you!
    I really hope so.

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  2. Good for you! Not to state the obvious, but taking care of two kids is so much more time consuming than taking care of one! I was crazy stressed about getting everything ready for Christmas, but one long overdue dinner with my girlfriends put things in perspective. Here's to a few more date nights and brunches sans kiddos in 2013!

    Merry Christmas! :-)

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  3. Good for you! Here's to 2013! May we all ditch the martyr syndrome!

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  4. Happy Mama, happy family! Ah I certainly have a touch of the martyr thing going at times, too. A good reminder to us all. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family :)

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  5. May 2013 be fab all round! Merry Christmas :-) (from a fellow martyr!)

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  6. Woot! Happy martyr free 2013 :o)

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  7. Gaaaaaaah. I hear you, sister. Jeez. Here's hoping for an easier and more fun 2013!

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  8. ♥ Take care of you so you can keep taking care of everyone else. . you are awesome!

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  9. Aw this was great to read. I personally haven't had a haircut in over a year...my husband has no trouble going in the evenings or on weekends every 6 weeks or so, but for some reason I never bring myself to schedule it. WHY? Oh because I want to sew in my free time mainly. Which is naptime/bedtime. It's my choice. So dumb. I'm glad you're grabbing time back for yourself and you're inspiring me to do the same! Take care! :)

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