Part 1: Why It’s Vital to Take PTO as a Mom
Paid Time Off.
PTO.
Out of Office.
OOO.
Whatever you want to call it, however you want to abbreviate it, taking days off of work is a multi-faceted topic in the world of working moms. There are many aspects of PTO, but for today we’re going to focus on the importance of these treasured hours as Moms.
Why You Need to Actually Take PTO
As a busy Mom, we juggle an incredible amount of roles and responsibilities. Without taking time off to recover from the toll all of these things take, we are at higher risk for:
Burnout: Constantly giving to our work and family can drain our energy fast.
Missing Quality Time: Balancing work and family leaves little room for meaningful moments with loved ones.
Compromising Our Work: Exhaustion, physical and emotional, can affect the quality of work we do at our actual paid job. (The one that offers the PTO we need to be taking.)
Who Am I?
Hi! I’m MacKenzie, your Self-Care Mompanion. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Follow Your Arrow Counseling, LLC. I work with Moms and Therapist Moms who are stressed out, overwhelmed and not taking care of themselves as well as they take care of everyone else. I speak from experience as I’m a Mom, too.
Being a Mom is hard. There are some days I really don’t like it, to be honest. There are days I don’t like having to deal with some of the parts of motherhood…like being blamed for everything, ignored and not being appreciated. Thank goodness there are other moments when my daughter tells me I’m her best friend that make up for all the crappy moments.
Stick around and join me as we walk this road of motherhood together. It truly takes a village to raise our kids… and maintain our sanity.
Recharging Your Batteries
I’m not sure about you, but there are times when I’m simply exhausted at the end of the day. Even if the day wasn’t particularly busy or tough.
Preventing Burnout
Taking PTO is like plugging yourself into a charger. Here’s how it helps:
Rest and Relaxation: PTO provides much-needed rest, helping you recharge physically and mentally. Depending on how you use the time, of course.
Improved Attention: A well-rested, clear mind is able to attune to other more easily. We’re more present and have the mental capacity to have more in-depth conversations.
Setting Boundaries: Taking time off models healthy boundaries for your coworkers and kids, showing the importance of self-care.
Quality Family Time
As much as your family may be what’s sucking the life out of you, spending uninterrupted time with them is essential. Another essential component of this time is to actually be present during this quality time. Yep, that means electronics are put away for a certain amount of time, eye contact is made, jokes are shared. Trust me, it’s lovely.
Consider these activities:
Picnics and Outings: Plan fun outdoor activities to bond with your loved ones.
Family Traditions: Use your PTO to create and enjoy family traditions that strengthen your connection. Especially if it’s an impromptu day out of school for the kids, they’ll love it.
Unplugging from Work: Disconnect from work to fully engage with your family, making the most of your time together. Unplugging for awhile will help you detach from the hustle and bustle of the office and what needs to be done at home. Things will be fine until you return.
Rediscovering Passions
Exploring Your Interests
PTO isn’t just for rest; it’s also a chance to rediscover what you love:
Hobbies and Interests: Revisit hobbies that bring you joy, like painting, reading, or hiking. You remember these fun little things, right? I know, it’s been a hot sec since you’ve been able to devote time to a hobby. That’s okay, we can always start.
Personal Growth: Use this time to focus on activities that nurture your soul and personal development.
Don’t go balls to the wall on these things. Just ease in nice and slow so as not to overwhelm yourself. Choose something and see how it feels for a little while.
The Benefits of Taking PTO
By taking PTO, you’re being proactive in caring for yourself and those around you. (Yes, these are completely and utterly redundant, but I’m trying to make a point here.)
Burnout Prevention: Regular breaks prevent exhaustion and keep you passionate about your work and family life. Good boundaries and ways to separate work from home will keep you going back to work in the morning and home in the evening.
Enhanced Family Time: PTO, when used well, allows you to strengthen and maintain meaningful connections with your loved ones, creating lasting memories.
Better Professional Performance: A refreshed mind and body mean you can and will have the energy to provide top-notch detail to your daily work.
So. Taking PTO is vital for managing burnout, ensuring quality family time, and improving client care. It helps you recharge, reconnect, and rediscover your passions, making you a happier, healthier therapist and mom. Give yourself permission to take that well-deserved break – you’ve earned it!
Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series…we’ll be talking about why we take time out of the office. It’s probably not really why you think.
