For Moms: Here’s Why Taking Care of YOU Is Important Too

Welcome to the second quarter of 2023! Today, Fay Smith, a mother of two young children and three lovable Pomeranians, sat down with Adventures from Elle to share words of wisdom for my mommy readers. Self care is important but mothers often forget to take care of themselves in the full-time profession of motherhood which requires 24 hours of love and dedicated service seven days a week. Here’s what Fay had to say:

---

Before we get into the article, subscribe for more Adventures from Elle.

It’s tough being a mom. You’ve got chores, groceries, kid stuff – you name it. Things can get even more challenging when you’re a working mom. With so much time and energy spent looking after loved ones, it’s no surprise that some moms forget to care for themselves. However, self-care is crucial for sustaining one’s own health, well-being, and life satisfaction. Fortunately, many women now acknowledge this fact, resulting in the surge of popular parenting blogs like the Motherhood Community page. Meanwhile, many moms may still be unaware of the potential benefits of self-care for their well-being and relationships.

Suppose you’re a mom struggling to balance the demands of parenting and maintaining adequate self-care. In that case, you might wonder how taking care of your needs can help improve your overall well-being and benefit your relationship with your child and partner in the long run. This article lists and explains how self-care can affect moms positively, including their relationship with their loved ones. Read on to learn more about self-care activities for moms.

Why Self-Care Is Important for Moms

Being a mother is undoubtedly one of the most exciting experiences in a woman’s life. However, motherhood can be stressful even under the best of circumstances. You might be headed toward parenting burnout if you don’t invest in caring for yourself. You can’t give what you don’t have. Constantly running on empty to meet unrealistic expectations regarding motherhood will only make you bitter and irritable – causing a rift in your relationship with your loved ones, especially with your child. 

A strong connection exists between the parent’s overall well-being and the child’s behavioral, cognitive, and emotional development. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) noted that parental mental illness increases a child’s chances of developing mental health issues relative to their peers. The organization also reported that the child is even more likely to follow suit when both parents are mentally ill.

Given the information above, it’s not a stretch to think that a mother’s nurturing, warm, and supportive attitude contributes significantly to a child’s character and positive life experiences. However, becoming a gentle and affirming mom can be extremely challenging if you don’t give yourself enough rest. 

You might think that denying yourself the “luxury” of a “me-time” and time for intimacy with your spouse is necessary and beneficial to your child. But can you reach your parenting goals if you’re always tired, stressed, and frustrated?  

Remember: When considering the parent-child relationship, one of the parent’s primary responsibilities is to be their healthiest version. Taking a break can help with this goal.

A mom’s love, direction, and sensitivity are unique assets to her family. You are a vital member of the household! Self-care may seem like a luxury you can’t prioritize now, and taking a self-assessment can feel overwhelming. Still, these things are essential for you and your family’s well-being.

Self-Care Tips and Activities for Moms

Here are some ways moms can take care of themselves:

• Assess yourself: Do a quick self-care assessment. Ask yourself questions to help you understand your current state and improve how you care for yourself as a mom. You can also examine what you’ve been through and identify factors that continue to drain you. Remember, don’t compare yourself with other moms. You might not be seeing the whole picture or their struggles, only the parts they choose to share with the world.
• Ask for help: Healthy people seek help when they need it. If you don’t have extended family, contact friends or seek advice from wiser, older adults. Never assume that others are too busy to help you. Counselors can also help you address past or current issues that distort your self-perception as a mom and prevent you from being fully present at home.

• Stay organized: Use a planner, calendar, or task list to keep track of your upcoming appointments and tasks. Organize tasks so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Complete the most time-consuming or least interesting tasks first to free up your time.
• Establish a margin in your family’s life: You know your family best, so assess your situation. You don’t have to keep your kids busy all the time. You also do not need to follow what every other mom out there does. Put your family’s interests first.
• Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Here are some healthy habits you can start developing:

1. Sleeping for seven to eight hours each night
2. Performing physical activity daily
3. Eating a healthy diet of lean meats, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains
4. Avoiding sugary beverages and high-fat foods 
5. Drinking at least six cups of water daily.

Find more ways to self care here.

Wrap Up

Take home message from Fay: remember, moms have needs, too. Care for yourself first if you wish to care for your family well. By incorporating the self-care suggestions above into your life, you can become an even more amazing mother. You’ve got this, mom.

Do you agree with the points Fay made? I currently have no children but I can see how the responsibilities of motherhood could cause a mom to neglect her own wellbeing. Throw a career and relationship into the mix, and we have an even bigger recipe for burnout. But, where there’s a will there’s a way, and we should always strive to have as much peace, balance and clarity in our lives as possible.

Read Next: Women’s Health–Endometriosis Awareness

---

About The Author

Fay Smith worked in communications for five years before settling down with her husband. She’s now a mother of two young children and takes care of three lovable Pomeranians. Fay Smith is a regular contributor on various health and wellness sites. She also works as a freelance writer and researcher on wellness topics, such as alternative treatments and CBD. If you would like to guest post on Adventures from Elle too, fill out this form.

‘Til next time.