Who is taking care of you as you manage the household, pack the children’s lunches, attend to all your child’s needs and manage their tantrums? Self-care includes not only taking time away from your children, but also finding support, attending to your emotional needs, and simplifying daily life and chores. Moms who practice self-care are physically, emotionally and socially healthier, and help instill the importance of self-care to their children.
Below are tips on self-care for mommies:
Take time off from your children – every mom needs “mommy time”; this can include five minutes or a whole day of indulgence. During “mommy time” avoid (if possible) discussing and thinking about your child. Take a walk in the park, have a long bath, coffee with girlfriends, or date night with your partner. This will help you to feel recharged and relaxed. Support from other mommies – being a mommy can feel like a lonely process. Know that you are not alone; every mom needs support from other mommies to discuss their fears, struggles and hopes in raising a child. If you do not have mommy friends or family members who have children, join a mommy group in your area. Support from family and community members – it is crucial to get support from your partner, family, neighbors and friends. If you do not have a support network, join a local support group. Let go of the “super mommy syndrome” – do you want everything to be perfect (bake the best cookies for school social, career woman, social butterfly, ultimate mom and perfect wife)? Perfection can place enormous pressure on a mom, and lead to disappointment if goals are not met. Set realistic goals; it is ok to let go of certain expectations. If you work full-time and need to prep a dish for your child’s school event – cheat and buy a pre-made dish, only you will know! Minimize stress – are you running out of steam? Online shopping is a savior for many moms. Online, you can order diapers, apparel, food… almost anything. When cooking, make a little bit more and freeze the meal, this will hopefully cut down time spent in the kitchen. If your budget allows, hire a cleaner to help you with household chores, allowing you to rest or focus on other activities. Treat yourself – next time you go shopping, give yourself permission (within your budget) to treat yourself, and do not feel guilty. If you buy a dress, or a darling pair of shoes, create a whole event around it – a night out with your girlfriends or partner.