The Charlotte Mason Bathroom

Sometimes we get stressed. It happens. Life comes at you every which way: the dishwasher floods, the floors have to be replaced, your youngest draws on the walls and your temper gets the better of you.
You end up hiding in the bathroom, because it is the only room in the house with a lock where people tend to leave you alone, desperately trying to keep hold of your sanity.
Maybe you get a migraine when you're stressed out, or maybe you have a breakdown and start crying because you don't think your son/daughter is learning anything.
The truth is that we are only human, and not the super-mum many people might think we are.
So, what can we do to help ourselves?

THE WIND DOWN ROUTINE

• Taking time out for ourselves on a daily basis always helps. Maybe you can't do daily, so instead, aim for weekly.

• Pick a favourite show you never miss on TV.

• Join a great group of homeschooling mothers (there's a really good one at MOTHERCULTURE YAHOO GROUP)

• Read a book.

• Spend some time with God on a daily basis.

• Exercise.
  and my personal favourite

• Take a long, relaxing, bubble bath.
  
  SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A STRESS FREE LIFE:

• Drinking Chamomile tea. There are any number of brands out there to choose from!

• Make a dream pillow... a small sachet containing hops and/or lavender will easily promote sleep.

• Try an eye pillow or rice sock (see instructions below).

• OUR RECOMMENDED READING LIST

EYE PILLOW AND RICE SOCK

What you will need:
Packet of flax seed or rice
An old sock or some fabric

Method:
To make a rice sock to use on aching body parts... take the old sock and the rice.  Fill the sock almost full of rice... and either sew or knot the end closed.  I prefer to sew it since otherwise it has a tendency to fall apart.
You can heat this in the microwave for up to a minute and a half, but it is best if you start lower and just add a few seconds if it isn't warm enough.  Place the HOT sock on the aching parts!

To make an eye pillow:
Take the fabric and sew it into a small rectangle... about eight inches long and four inches wide.  Stuff with the flax seed and sew shut.  Either make a pillowcase to go over it (recommended for cleaning purposes) or use as is.  It can be either heated in the microwave (30-60 seconds) or cooled in the freezer.  Place over your eyes or forehead to sooth a headache or relax tired eyes.

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