Thank you to Evereve for sponsoring today’s post!
As I sit here writing this, I think about the day I just had. My threenager was clearly requiring more attention than normal today and acting up more frequently than usual. I hate days like this because they make me feel like an inadequate mother…like I’m not dividing my time well enough. I’m expected to tend to both children’s needs simultaneously all while trying to care for myself, the house, and run a business at the same time. I often fail, and today was one of those days. All the distractions and redirection and attention was not enough in the world today. I found myself getting super frustrated with the repeat tantrums, and counting down the seconds until my husband arrived home. Except he had to go right back out when he came home, which means I couldn’t go to the gym to get out all of my pent up frustration. Making me more frustrated. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a perfect mother, and I just needed 5 minutes away to regroup.
Dress: Evereve
I’m only human. I don’t know one mother who hasn’t felt the same at one time or another. There’s a reason the saying is “it takes a village,” especially when referring to child rearing. I just wanted 5 minutes to myself. 5 minutes to clear my head. 5 minutes to feel refreshed and like I was ready to tackle the next tantrum over toast or whatever.
While there’s nothing wrong with needing a little time away, I recently realized that maybe that wasn’t my problem. Maybe I just needed a 5 minute moment to stop what I’m doing and find joy in the crazy.
Dress: Evereve (another cute style here!)
Tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us. And yet, time flies by without warning. My kids are growing up in front of my eyes and I feel like I’m missing it, even though I’ve been right beside them the entire time. Maybe instead of 5 minutes away, I need 5 minutes to slow down and take in the moment. 5 minuted to disconnect from everything else and not be wrapped up in housework or other responsibilities. The dishes can wait. The laundry can wait. Everything can wait. My kids won’t remember how clean our house is. What they will remember is the memories they make with their mom. They’ll remember reading too many books to count, playing “choo-choo tracks” in the sand, and picking flowers at the park. They’ll remember drawing with sidewalk chalk and baking cookies. They’ll remember swinging on the porch swing and singing nursery rhymes.
Top: Evereve // Pants: Evereve (also love this pair!)
I want to take in more 5 minute moments of soaking up memories with my kids. Because I’m going to blink and they’ll be too big for my arms anymore. And I’ll be wishing I could get those memories back.
Today I’m partnering up with Evereve, a store that keeps fashion-loving moms in mind, to giveaway a $100 gift card to one lucky reader. Every outfit you see above is from their store, and I love that they’re fashionable while still being playground friendly. This store gets it, mamas! They have a play area in store stocked with snacks for your kiddos while you shop! That is like a mother’s heaven right there!
You can enter via the widget below (click $100 Evereve Gift Card below if you’re on mobile) and by answering, “What’s your #5MinuteMoment?” Is it reading with your toddler? Snuggling your baby? Share with us!
#my5minmoment Is at nap time or bed time cuddling my daughter and singing her a song as I tickle her back. She won’t let me stop til she is asleep . Haha Motherhood is a true blessing.
I love this! My 5 minute moment is usually nursing my 3 month old daughter, I tell my 2 year old to grab a book and we’ll read while the babe eats. I try to get her to cuddle up, and while it doesn’t always happen, the few times she does is the best feeling. I’ve been trying to get off my phone during these times so my attentions at least split between my girls instead of solely on the baby and the phone. Good luck Lauren, it’s a total adjustment to having 2 but before you know it it won’t be so crazy anymore. xoxo Ashley
What a beautiful and very real mom life post! I also love Evereve. I went to my first store a few weekends ago and love all their stuff!
My 5 minute time is snuggling my baby boy a little extra after breastfeeding. It would be easy for me to put him right in his crib after he falls asleep feeding but I love to hold him while he sleeps. He is growing up so fast and I want to hold on to that moment forever.
My 5 minute moment is when I’m putting my 3 year old to bed..I always ask her what we did that day and listen to her reflect on the day..we have done it since she was a baby. She usually beats me to asking the question and I love it!
My 5 minute moment is right before naps and bedtime we read a book nurse and then snuggle in the rocking chair. It’s by far my happiest place and I wait for it all day while I am at work! There is nothing better!
I make sure to take 5 minutes every morning to have coffee with my husband. Intentionally spending time with him every morning helps set my tone for the day & helps me keep centered.
I also make sure to take 5 minutes every single morning for my beauty routine…eyeliner, mascara, perfume, etc.
My #5minutemoment is snuggling with my kids and reading books before bed. They’re 7 and 5, so I know my days are numbered of snuggling with them.
Whenever I feel like I’m being pulled in too many directions, I like to get down on the floor with my little guy. He loves to climb on me and we play with his trucks or read a few books. It helps me refocus my attention to where it’s really important!
My five minute moment is probably in the mornings when I can sit with coffee and enjoy watching our little one play with her trains. I just love watching her play pretend and soaking in those moments <3
Love this. I have found the joy recently in the simple moments and just enjoying each chance my husband and I get to spend with our daughter. My 5 minute moment happens every day after work. I pick my daughter up and we have a 5-10 minute walk to the car. We take our time, chat, and giggle as we make our way to the car to head home and start the evening. In the past I would have rushed her, picked her up and not really talked “to” her through that time. I just want to enjoy every moment and slow down a bit! Thanks for the reminder:)
Hello! I am currently 3 weeks away from having my baby so at this point my #5minutemoment would have to be just getting on Pinterest before bed and not thinking about anything else in the world! Just exploring ideas that I would love to do but not sure if I will get too!
My children are all adults now. But would love to share a snuggle picture of them.
Just trying to figure out where to upload the pic.
I love reading your blog. And seeing your great pics of kids & your home.
This hit home for me hard core. We are not alone and THAT is reassuring. I love when my son carries me books and plops down in my lap. It seriously reminds me to slowwwww down and soak up the present.
#5mintutemomemt is snuggling my one year old before bed. And playing outside with my 3 year old. Putting my phone down and just enjoying my time with my boys.
My 5-minute moment is sitting and playing cars/trucks/instruments/basically anything with my little one every morning.
I loved the snapchat of these outfits, so I’m thrilled to see how they look! BEAUTIFUL!
I’m a mommy to three little angels. My boys really love it when I take the time to join them in doing activities they enjoy. My oldest son loves to draw, and my other son loves to build with legos. My little princess is only 4 months old and loves to cuddle.
I absolutely love ALL of these looks, especially the white crochet tank & olive green crops!! They recently opened an Evereve in an outdoor mall in my area, and every weekend when my 18mo old daughter and I are strolling, I gaze enviously into the store! Haven’t had the courage to go inside just yet but I think I may have to now !!
Napping with my baby!
My five minute moment is spending time giving myself positive affirmations and praise. I am working on building myself up and take time everyday to do that!
My five minute moment is definitely having a dance party with my girls!
My #5minutemoment is making and going through a list of things, people, and events in my life I can be grateful for. Sometimes it helps to go through the alphabet and try to find something good associated with each letter. The list can change every day and I encourage others to try it too. Who knows, it could make your day a little bit brighter!
My 5 minute moment is usually those last few moments of the day when we are reading books, singing bedtime songs and saying our prayer. In those moments all of the frustrations and challenges of raising three kids (one with significant health and special needs) and working full time melt away. All of the “you’re not doing a good job” voices quiet and all is right in the world. I’m reminded to take in their tiny round faces and little fingers and toes, really look at them and breathe them in.
My #5minutemoment is nursing my two month old! I absolutely love looking down at his face and snuggling with him during this special time! Evereve is such an amazing store and I honestly do 90% of my shopping there! So cute!
My 5 minute moment is reading or playing a board game with my kids (ages 4 and twins 3).
I love this post!! My boys are not little anymore…ages 19 & 21. The older they have gotten, the more difficult to pin them down and have even 5 minutes of quality time together, because it’s not just being so busy with them right under your nose anymore where you are responsible for getting them to do what they need to do or get them wherever they need to go. The older they get, the more independence they have, and SHOULD have as they learn to be men in this world. I will say to mothers of young ones today… treasure even those chaotic moments with your family…don’t worry about the dishes in the sink or dirt on the floor. I was always told these years go by quickly, and they do. As the wife of a coach, and even though he has always been a VERY hands-on dad when his schedule allowed, I was left to deal with everying alone lots of times. I stressed over the little things that don’t even matter, like thinking my house needed to be perfect (although it rarely has ever been). My 5 minute moments are very few and far in between with my boys now, and it’s those rare moments of having us together as a family that make my heart full.