As a working mother, I don't have much down time. Lately, in fact, I haven't had any real down time. My "down time" has consisted of doing the laundry, cooking meals for the week, running errands and other similar tasks. It all started the beginning of December with the holidays coming up. Any "down time" I had was spent shopping and planning for company to arrive for the holidays. Then, in January, my "down time" consisted of getting our new lawfirm, Coronado Katz, LLC, up and running. Now, February has started with all my "down time" being spent planning my son's 6th birthday party and getting things ready for his kindergarten valentine's day party. I feel worn out.

From past experience, I should know better than to let myself get to this point. When I feel worn out, I'm no good to anyone: my husband, my son or my partners. Things I do are never as good as they could be if I didn't feel this way. My attitude is not as good as it should be. My attention span is not as long as it should be. My temper is shorter than it needs to be. And, the worst part is, I know all these things before I let myself get to this point. So, why do I let myself get to this point? I'm afraid to say no. Somehow I have it in my mind that I am not a good spouse, mother, partner if I don't do it all. I let myself think people expect it of me when, in actuality, I'm the only one who expects so much of myself.

What I need to start expecting of myself is that I actually take "down time" for myself, rather than feel I am being selfish if I say no or that I need time to myself. I think all working mothers need "down time" to regroup and regain perspective. We all have a lot on our plates. "Down time" helps us be able to keep juggling all those plates.