If you went to work and was informed that you had to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no breaks, you probably wouldn’t be very happy about that.  But when you’re a mom, your work is never done.  Still, you need a break every now and then.

Some moms get so caught up in the lives of their children that they forget to nurture themselves.  They spend all day every day taking care of the kids and the house, and they may forget about the things that they loved to do before they became moms.  Does this sound familiar?  Maybe you need a break.

If you can’t remember the last time you did something for yourself, you definitely need a break.  But there are also other signs to look for.  Here are a few:

• You’re stressing out.  Sometimes certain situations cause us a great deal of stress, and other times things just pile up until we feel that we can’t take it any more.  Either way, a break is probably a good idea.  It will help you clear your head and give you some perspective on the situation.

• You feel like you’re forgetting who you are.  When you become a wife or mom, you don’t have to give up your sense of self.  But it is easy to get so caught up in our families that the things we once enjoyed doing end up on the back burner.  If you find that this is happening to you, make it a point to do something you enjoy on a regular basis.

• Your marriage is not getting the attention it deserves.  Between taking care of the kids, keeping up the house, and running errands, there may be little time to spend exclusively with your significant other.  But it is very important to make time to spend as a couple.

Taking a break can be easier said than done.  Stay at home moms often do not have babysitters lined up that can take care of the kids at a moment’s notice.  But that doesn’t mean that you have no options.

If it’s time for yourself that you need, ask Dad to look after the kids while you do something you want to do.  If he’s unavailable when you need him, maybe a family member can watch them for a while.  Other moms can also be of assistance.  They may be willing to watch the kids for you in exchange for you doing the same for them sometime.

Spending time as a couple can be accomplished by getting someone else to watch the kids, or making plans to do something special after they are in bed.  If you can’t get out of the house together for a proper date, something as simple as having a candlelit dinner for two at home can be a bonding experience.

Every mom needs a break sometimes.  No matter how important our families are to us, we need some time to just be ourselves.  It’s good for us, and when Mom feels fulfilled, it’s good for the rest of the family as well.