Parenting Tips, Parenting Resources, and Parenting Fun for Busy Parents

What is Your Hobby

By: Kimberly Chastain

When you saw the title of this article, what was your reaction? Did you groan? Did you get excited? Did you say, “Who has time for a hobby”? I use to hate when people asked me that question, especially when my children were infants to preschoolers. I remember saying, “I don’t have a hobby, I have children.”

I think God wants us to play and relax. Even though hobby is not specifically listed in the Bible. Remember Ecclesiastes 3:1; “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…” Does a time for everything include hobbies? The Bible did say everything, which sounds pretty inclusive to me.

As a little girl, what did you enjoy doing with your free time? What did you do to relax or just to have fun? As adults we often forget how to have fun or somehow feel like we are goofing off. I still remember my Dad liked to color and sometimes after a hard day of work would sit down and color. We kind of thought that was funny, but he enjoyed it. I used to enjoy playing piano. Recently, we were given a piano for our home. I have started playing maybe 15 minutes a day and trying to improve on my rusty skills. Playing the piano has been truly relaxing for me. It calms me down and I feel I have some mastery over something. The piano does not talk back, even though I make a mistake. I’m amazed what 15 minutes can do for me and my mood.

Moms, I know you are incredibly busy and sometimes you just want to crawl in bed at night and sleep. I would encourage you to find maybe only 15 minutes a week to start to do something you enjoy doing. Maybe it is a hobby from childhood or a new hobby. Take the time to “goof off” and do something for yourself. Maybe it is getting a massage or manicure once a month. You deserve it. Taking a little time for yourself will make a big difference in your mood.

About The Author © 2004 Kimberly Chastain Kimberly Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She was recently featured in the book the Myth of the Perfect Mother. She is the author of “Help, I Just Can’t Say No” and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms. To schedule a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com or visit http://www.christianworkingmom.com. kimberly@jerpat.org

This article was posted on February 23, 2005

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