Why Taking Care of Mommy is so important
It's a novel concept, isn't it; somebody taking care of you?
Well, that somebody ultimately has to be you, and I know how it
is, you're way too busy taking care of everybody else to give
yourself any time. But, let me tell you why you have to take
care of yourself, and give you some ideas as to how to do
accomplish this monumental feat.
You're the Mom - and if you're out of commission, everybody
suffers If you can't manage to take care of yourself, for
yourself, then take care of yourself for everybody else! A
well-rested, happy Mom is much more likely to have happy,
thriving children. If you're tired, or you haven't had an adult
conversation in weeks, it will start to show. You'll be grumpy
to say the least; at worst you could be downright dangerous when
doing something like driving a car. A frazzled Mom is no good to
anyone.
How you treat yourself is how you're teaching your children to
treat you If you never let your children see that you have
needs, or that you take the time to meet those needs, you're
teaching them that you are, indeed, a doormat, and should be
treated as such.
Ok, so now you know you need to take care of yourself,
physically and emotionally, but how do you make it happen?
Start with your calendar Put some appointments in it that will
let you have some time to yourself. You choose the activities
that will soothe your soul, but whatever they are, make time for
them. A few hours a week devoted to something you love other
than your family, will help keep you refreshed and feeling like
your old self.
Ask for help You know by now that men are different, right?
Well, one of the ways they are different is that they don't mind
telling their partner what they need. And they expect the same
from us. If you need your husband to plan to watch the baby for
three hours every Saturday so that you can have some time to
meditate, vegetate, shop, whatever, you need to tell him. He's
not going to come up with that idea on his own, but if you tell
him what you need, he's likely to oblige.
Make friends with other women in the same boat There is no
substitute for a girlfriend who understands. If you're a stay at
home mom, find some others to hang out with. It may mean some
company for you and a play date for your child at the same time.
If you're a working Mom trying to juggle everything, hook up
with some other working Mothers to talk things through. It works
wonders to know you're not alone. Plus, you might get some
valuable ideas for handling some of the issues you face.
As the Mom, you're really the heart of your family. Your well
being translates into everyone's well being. Take the time to
enjoy the whole person that you are, not just the Mom.