Five Minutes’ Peace

When I wrote this post for Anktangle, Miss Jemma was at an all-time high of  “I need mama and I need her now!” If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned  this comes in waves and we always recover. I hope you like reading about one of my treasured childhood books and how it’s translated to me as a mama.
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Generational books.

The ones you had as a child which you now share with your own. And some, with words that ring so true. Who would have guessed?

Last night Jemma and I read Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy. The first page is inscribed with this:

Dear Mommy,
It’s not that daddy and I pester you but we just want to be with you because …. we LOVE you Mommy
Merry Christmas ’87
Gretchen Rose
I remember laughing with my mom as we read this book years ago. I thought it was so funny that the mama elephant needed a break from her children. My mom would remind me that all mommies need a break every now and again. I was baffled. Who needed a break from children as sweet as my sisters and I?

Well, with my sweet Jemma following me to and fro all. day. long. I now know how mama elephant and my own mom must have felt each and every day. As a mama I don’t get a break unless I demand one or intentionally carve out my own five minutes’ peace.
Since being at home full-time with Jemma I’ve had my bouts of self-doubt (Am I really cut out to be a stay-at-home mama?) and self-pity (Is anyone ever going to notice all the things I do around here?). It’s in those moments I know exactly what I need. I need five minutes’ peace … and fast.
Those are the days where I ask my husband for a quiet night. Mama needs to rejuvinate. And yes, I know it is only Tuesday :) He rocks Jemma to sleep and snuggles her into bed. He mans the monitor while I draw a bath. I remove all the bath toys, add my favorite bath salts, light a candle, and grab a novel instead of a bath book. 
I breathe a sign of relief. Five minutes’ peace, all to myself.
I love my daughter to the moon and back. Our days are filled with adventures and learning, snuggles and mishaps, chores and tantrums, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But, to be the best mama I can be, I have to take care of myself too. Often times, five minutes’ peace is the perfect solution to prepare me for Wednesday … and all the days that follow.
How do you find your five minutes’ peace in the busyness of each day/week?

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Comments

  1. sarah says

    Isnt it crazy what just 5 minutes can do!!!

  2. sarah says

    Isnt it crazy what just 5 minutes can do!!!

  3. Anna H. says

    We discovered this book at the library in the board book section a couple months ago. What a treasure! The girls definitely don’t get it, but I loved the book! :)

  4. Anna H. says

    We discovered this book at the library in the board book section a couple months ago. What a treasure! The girls definitely don't get it, but I loved the book! :)

  5. says

    Oh I have got to get this book! I haven't had a bath in years…-Dana

  15. says

    Thanks so much for sharing this! I added it to my list of books to check out because I’m sure I’ll need a break too and I love the idea of being able to explain that to my little one through story. =]

    • ThatMamaGretchen says

      It’s definitely a favorite around here! I’m sure you’ll love it :)

  16. says

    Thanks so much for sharing this! I added it to my list of books to check out because I'm sure I'll need a break too and I love the idea of being able to explain that to my little one through story. =]

  17. ThatMamaGretchen says

    It's definitely a favorite around here! I'm sure you'll love it :)

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