Self care is super important especially for moms of children with PTSD. For a long time, I could not find the energy or motivation to “waste” time on myself when I had so many other things to do.
Now, I am finally in a place in my life where I am able to get back to things I enjoy. At first it was honestly really off putting and I did not really know what I should do any more. Being a mom or stay at home parent can really tear away your own individual identity.
Through all the chaos, I managed to keep up with my video game hobby. I have played video games since the Super Nintendo came out, so that has always been a part of my regular routine. Now I play on the Xbox and Switch. I did stop playing live games once I became a mom because I could not pause them to take the time to put my family first. I am playing again and actually interacting with others that enjoy my hobby online, so that is a nice change.
I have tried to continue with my fiber arts obsession since becoming a parent. I have struggled to finish anything except loom knitting. Again, I can set that down and walk away easily. I also enjoy cross-stitch and quilting. I have been wanting to get into crochet and felting, but have not taken the plunge yet. I have some beginner kits, but need to sit down and actually do it.
Since fiber arts are a bit time consuming to set up and put away, I have picked up a new sketchbook. I have always enjoyed drawing even though I am not very good. I mostly like to use colored pencils and play with color blending more than concentrating on the actual drawing part. Pastels are fun. Learned paint pouring with the girls and really enjoy the results of that.
Most of my time has been recently spent writing. I enjoy it. It is a way I can turn off my brain and focus on one thing for awhile. Stops all those intrusive thoughts from popping up and helps me ignore my chronic pain without over the counter medications. Writing about raising my kids has been a new catharsis for me. It has helped me to not put myself down so much. Things were hard and they were difficult. There were a lot of struggles that we did overcome as a family.
My favorite activity is what I call “popcorn breakfast”. Going to an early morning movie at the theater and having popcorn for breakfast. When you go, you buy the largest bucket of popcorn and it comes with a free refill. It is great! Something my kids always enjoyed doing when their father worked during the weekends.
It is nice to take a moment and reflect on what makes me tick. Things that I enjoy and do for myself more than others. It is great when others enjoy it with me, but it is important to take a few moments for myself every once in a while.
Mother of Trauma 
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