It’s funny: after a big meal, my husband can go to the living room and pick up a newspaper and relax. If I try to do the same thing, I hear a tiny voice in my head saying, “You really should just go ahead and tackle those dishes. You shouldn’t be sitting here. That laundry…those emails… what about the dishes??”

But studies show that being a great wife, mom and professional requires that we make leisure a priority, too. We all perform better when we’ve had a chance to re-charge our batteries! Instead of feeling guilty about engaging in things that relieve stress, try these 7 Ways to Fit Down Time Into Your Schedule. Whether it’s an exercise class, time to read for pleasure or a bible study group, schedule it and stick to it. Those dishes will still be there when you get back.

Other ways to get your groove back:

Decompress: Beat Stress in 10 Minutes or Less

Eat Healthy: The 11 Best Foods You’re Not Eating 

You probably know that it’s women who make most of the decisions about what to buy for their homes, their children and their husbands.  Men just usually aren’t into seeking out what they need to improve the world around them or themselves.

So this Father’s Day, give your husband a gift he’ll enjoy, and get something out of.  It’s a book for fathers written in the language they understand.  It’s called All Pro Dad: 7 Essentials to be a Hero to Your Kids.  Order your All Pro Dad  book today so you can have it in time for Father’s Day.

With fathers in mind…

3 Ways to Let Your Husband Help More With the Kids: by iSpecialist Lauren Dungy

How 4 Fathers Shaped their Famous Children

Daily Inspiration for Dads 

As I sat writing this Espresso Minute email from a cozy corner at Panera Bread, I couldn’t help but notice the college couple “studying” in the corner.  Their books were spread across the table, but their eyes  were on each other.  They made being a couple look so easy.

Why is marriage so hard in comparison?  If you’ve been married longer than four months, you know some of the answers to that question.  The first is that marriage is a union of two imperfect people in an imperfect world.  Next, marriage is 24/7 real life.  Third, marriage that involves children brings a whole additional layer of challenges.

Don’t get me wrong, marriage and children help give meaning to life, but just because you love your husband and children doesn’t make things easy.  Marriage can be hard, but it is worth it.

If you need a mental shift regarding your marriage, take a look at these links:

3 Lies About Marriage You Shouldn’t Believe

5 Reasons a Little Effort in Marriage Goes a Long Way

What Makes a Marriage “Good?”

Have you ever gotten “that look” from your child when you were hosting a play date?  You know, the one that says, “We don’t have anything to do and my friend is not having fun! Help, Mom!”  Or you might have felt that way when you’ve had kids over and the play date has all of the excitement of a broken PS2.

Well make your house the play date fun zone with a little help from iMOM.  Plan ahead and use our printables to make your next play date a day to remember!

5 Play Date Ideas for Younger Kids

5 Play Date Ideas for Older Kids

15 Fun Backyard Games With Printable Cards!

10 Ideas for Outdoor Fun

PS:  Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

I enjoy looking at “mommy blogs”— most of the time.  But there are some days when I’ve seen one adorable kids party, perfect meal, or hand-embellished apron too many.  As I look at these blogs featuring amazing moms and their seemingly endless ideas (and the energy to see them through!), I feel like a loser!

At the bottom of my discouragement  is my thinking, and in some cases my knowing, that I could be a better mom.  So which is it?  Do I strive to be a “mommy blogger” diva, or just accept myself for what I am?  For me, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.  I’ll never be mommy blog material, but I can strive to be the best mom version of me, I can be.

You might want to consider these ways to be the mom you want to be.

9 Ways to Be a Better Mom Every Day

Confessions of an Imperfect Mom

Being “Just a Mom” is Okay