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The Myth of the Selfish Mom
Let me paint a picture for you: It’s Sunday morning, and my idea of self-care is trying to drink my coffee before it’s completely lukewarm while my kids reenact a scene from their favorite noisy cartoon in the next room. If you’re anything like me, you might have also believed the myth that taking time for yourself makes you a “selfish mom.” But what I’ve realized over the years is that self-care isn’t selfish; in fact, it’s quite the opposite!
Self-Care: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
When I became a mom, I felt a societal pressure to always put my family before myself, around the clock. But here’s a fun way to think about it: you know how flight attendants always say to put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others? That applies to motherhood too! Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s necessary. A well-rested, less-stressed mom is undoubtedly more present and capable of taking on the beautiful chaos that is motherhood.
Finding Moments of Self-Care Amidst the Chaos
Now, self-care doesn’t have to be an extravagant spa day (although wouldn’t that be nice?). Instead, it’s about finding little pockets of time in your day just for you. Here’s what’s been working for me:
1. Morning Moments: Waking up before the kids to enjoy a few sips of hot coffee and read a few pages of a good book. (Bonus tip: pair those sips with a piece of chocolate — because, why not?)
2. Bathroom Breaks Reimagined: I’ve learned to lock myself in the bathroom for two extra minutes to simply breathe and practice a little mindfulness.
3. Sharing the Load: Swapping playdates with a neighborhood mom can be a win-win situation. She takes my kids for a morning, and I take hers in the afternoon. This gives us both a chance to relax or run errands solo.
4. DIY Night: I mix my love for DIY projects with a little me-time by tackling fun crafts after the kids are in bed. It’s satisfying to create something beautiful with my hands.
Why Guilt Should Take a Back Seat
Guilt is a sneaky thing, isn’t it? It sometimes creeps in right around the time I’ve finally settled down for a moment of peace. But it’s important to remember that taking care of ourselves allows us to be the best versions of ourselves for our family. So, let’s collectively banish that guilt and replace it with empowerment, knowing we are loving our family fiercely by also loving ourselves.
Encouragement for the Journey
To all the moms out there juggling family, work, and everything in between — remember, you deserve to be cared for too. Next time you feel like a moment for yourself might be “too indulgent,” remind yourself that a happier you means a happier family. We’re in this together. So today, I’ll refill my coffee cup if you do too. ☕✨
Embrace those moments for you, because they are as essential as the giggles and the hugs that make this mom gig so worth it. Sending warm thoughts to each of you fabulous moms out there. Together, we’ve got this! 💪✨
