Why YOU as a mom absolutely need to put your needs FIRST!
I can not tell you how many times I have heard the term "I'm a bad mother" come from the mouths of the most amazing mothers I know. All because they went out for a girls night out, or went to get a massage or facial. In most cases this could be due to having to work over the weekend, or even travel for work or feelings of exhaustion resulting in limited or no play time.Regardless of the situation, you probably know exactly what I am talking about if you are a mom or busy career driven momprenuer. We all have heard AND felt the ugly sting of "MOM GUILT'.Well let me just take a quick second to clarify that missing your kids when you are out doing something away from them is NOT mom guilt. In fact that is a normal and very natural feeling to have, that reflects just what a caring and loving mom you are. Its even healthy to miss your kids and want to be with them when you are away.Mom guilt on the other hand is defined as the feeling like you are doing something wrong. which is derived from the word guilt: "having committed a crime". You may feel like you are not doing what you should be doing.Its so important to recognize the difference between both of these feelings. You are not doing anything wrong when you spend time away from your family. Especially if that time away is helping to replenish the strength that it takes to run your busy life and household.Instead it would be a good thing to take a step back and really evaluate why you are feeling this way...
-Am I feeling like this simply because I am feeling judged by others? If the answer is yes then ask yourself do the have the right to judge? (SPOILER ALERT: The answer is NO!!)
-Will taking care of my own needs first help me to feel taken care of?
-How do I show up once I have put my needs first?
-Am I happier, more present and more patient when I show up this way?
-What example do I want to show my daughter to model after if or when she becomes a mom?
Reflection on the value of making yourself a priority when it comes to the benefits of your family are so important. Investing in yourself by making yourself a priority IS investing in your family. You can not give to others especially your family what you yourself do not have. So it is very much neccessary to fill your cup of needs first so therefore you can fill the cup of needs for others. Doing this promotes a happy and well balanced feeling and life. When you feel good you want to share those good feelings towards others.
What are some things you find difficult in doing for yourself that maybe you need to reevaluate? Let me know in the comments below. ✌🏾 ❤️ 🧖🏾♀️