Moms are Human, Too: Why Self-Care is a Good Thing - Kari Kampakis

As a younger mom, Kari didn’t believe in rest - she was full-throttle doing everything she could for her kids. But over time, she recognized the need for healthy rhythms to bring her life back into balance and observed how the older we get, the more our body dictates what we can and cannot do. Jesus modeled for moms why rest and getting a break is important to help you become refreshed to tackle a new day. Kari also describes why moms need to intentionally “choose joy” in their hectic lives, and shared a story about one Mother’s Day when her own mom was hovering on the brink of death at a hospital but Kari had to attend a school tea with her daughter in Kindergarten at the time. It was a bittersweet moment but also assurance from God that He was with Kari in both extremes. In another story, Kari shares the importance of mom’s fighting for what’s right - especially in spiritual battles. And then she concludes on a message of hope - that with God’s help, moms don’t need to be overwhelmed by circumstances but can find hope for another day of motherhood.
Get Kari's book, More Than a Mom: bit.ly/3NMmHXr
For more resources on this topic: bit.ly/3NNfp5R
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[@nqa4886]

Thank you so much for how you flesh out these questions Jim on how can 1 do this. I am a mom who has taken a step back to focus on children, husband and home and advocating for my wellbeing after a traumatic job loss and loss of an abused aging parent oversead. I am on a journey to a healthy place where i am present for my kids and husband and at peace and able to be able to better choose Joy daily. God bless you all so much for the wonderful work you are doing and shining light on truths in this difficult world.

[@lawrencefoster5608]

Managing the hours in our day is important to the Lord. You will learn to say NO and then you will see how people respond to your assertiveness.

[@cecilhudson1583]

As a mom of a teen and tween boy, I feel we as a family we are busier now than when they were little. We have sports practices and games, work, taking care of the home, church, family, etc.... Our sleep is definitely important as well as eating well, slowing down when we can, and of course, our relationship witb the Lord.

[@christinapsalmist4267]

Little kids, little problems. Big kids, bigger problems.... 🙏 It's a life's work.

[@lawrencefoster5608]

You "choose Joy" by faith. With your mouth thank God for thing's and your feelings will follow. David encouraged himself in the Lord. And don't set yourself up with expectations.

[@lawrencefoster5608]

I was raised by my parents and they didn't do drug's and they struggled to pay the bills but they and both their parents knew nothing about relationship's. I had to learn those things from the Lord after I was out of the house. I hate the way women have been made to be something to look at. The family has taken the back seat to everything.

[@vintagebeliever5023]

My marriage was not what I thought it would be. So, my energy went into my children. As an empty nester they are all my best friends ❤ Thank you for sharing this. 😊

[@jacquelinedahan4568]

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.🤍

[@robin6290]

❤❤❤

[@rochellecaffee1417]

Mary and Martha…this story should make moms THINK. When Jesus said, “Mary has chosen the BEST thing, and it will never be taken from her”, moms need to adjust their coarse with the same attitude that Mary had. Martha was “out of control, emotionally”, and was subject to resentment and finally, bitterness. She also had a false sense of “importance”. Her priorities were “out of order” and when that happens in any part of life, not only do WE suffer for our bad choices, but others do, like children, too. It leads to constant “fretting” and “complaining”, 27:17 and “discontentment” with the life that God has given you. You, in essence, have played God, and overloaded yourself with work that God never put on your shoulders, but YOU DID, because you thought that you know better than God what is necessary. I know, because i have had to learn from the many “burn-out” experiences that I PUT MYSELF THROUGH. You CAN STOP. YOU CAN PRIORITIZE what works in YOUR SITUATION. YOU are allowed to PROTECT YOUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL ENERGY, because NO BODY ELSE WILL. And even if they helped you, don’t you think that a husband might be happier with a quiet space with less responsibilities, to come home to? Must you bring other’s into YOUR responsibilities? That is an unexpected “burden” for your husband. Every chance you get, to do something that lifts your spirit while home, and family caretaking, will give you added energy to continue. And every time you can be brave, and say “no” to someone’s expectations that interfere with YOUR family’s rhythm and needs, SAY, NO…and if it makes you feel better, you can add, “maybe next time”. But do not accept ANY GUILT for protecting YOUR family from being neglected by something that does not add to the family’s feeling of being your FIRST priority. AND, HUSBANDS COME BEFORE CHILDREN, unless they can NOT come before children’s needs. That is YOUR CALL.

[@jeanette3148]

dear focus on the family, may you one day make a program about being married to a spouse who is not a Christian. Many greetings from Denmark

[@focusonthefamily]

Hi, Jeanette! We have a broadcast called, "Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch." Hope this helps. God bless you and your family. bit.ly/46m9RGZ

[@lawrencefoster5608]

We have had to do life with the cast of the book of revelation. In my twenties in the 80's they talked to us, the ministeries talked to us like we were in pretty good times and it wasn't so.

[@lizekooistra6074]

What if... the mum is ok with ´lived in’ kitchen floors, but daddy wants to have cleaned the whole house when visitors are coming...

[@focusonthefamily]

Hi Lize, we appreciate your question. To discuss this situation in detail, we encourage you to speak with one of our licensed counselors (at no cost to you). Just dial 800-232-6459 weekdays, 6 AM - 8 PM (MT). The staff member who answers the phone will arrange for a callback. We hope to hear from you soon.

[@lisazinser3048]

Hi I’m living in Germany, is your parents consulting still works for me ? Or only works in the US ?

[@focusonthefamily]

Hi Friend! If you’d like to talk with one of our counselors (at no cost to you), call 855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays between 6 A.M. and 8 P.M. (MT). A Family Help Center Specialist will answer your call and assist you in getting in touch with a counselor. We hope to hear from you soon.

[@momteacherlessons7296]

What if your husband wont honor your request?

[@focusonthefamily]

We appreciate your question. To discuss your personal situation in detail, we encourage you to speak with one of our licensed counselors (at no cost to you). Just dial 800-232-6459 weekdays, 6 AM - 8 PM (MT). The staff member who answers the phone will arrange for a callback. We hope to hear from you soon.

[@rochellecaffee1417]

Jesus was “in the moment” because He there in the present situation to serve the needs of THAT moment or situation. He let the Father give Him His assignment, one at a time. And He was not trying to meet the approval of many different people and their expectations. So His work NEVER piled up. He just moved from the Father’s assignment to the next assignment. Now days, mothers AND fathers think that they must meet the approval of many other expectations in life, like grandparent’s expectations, neighbor’s expectations, the PTA’s expectations, the Little League coach’s expectations, the dancing teacher’s expectations, the Bible study teacher’s expectations, the garbage man’s expectations, the husband’s expectations, the clean-house expectations, the Holiday expectations, the oil-in-the-engine-of-the-car expectations, (and TIRES) and of course, the children’s-bath’s-before-bed expectations, and All the rest…maybe, there’ll be a cup of coffee/tea later, before you go to bed? Mothers need to make decisions about what THEIR needs are first. Sit down with a calendar, and only start to put the absolute necessities on it. THEN, QUESTION, WHY, you should put any thing else on it…and whose approval are you trying to satisfy. CUT, CUT, CUT anything out that you can…..later, you can ADD.