Moms: Why You Should (Sometimes) Put Yourselves First

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I read somewhere recently that, yet again, we “millennials” are changing the way things are done, this time with parenting. A study recently found that more moms admit to taking time for themselves than previous generations. The article went on to discuss why this is selfish, but I’m here to put a different spin on it.

Mental Health: Why You Should Put Yourselves First (Sometimes)

Moms, we deserve time for ourselves, a mental health break, if you will. Yes, becoming a parent means giving up. A lot. It means sacrifices from the moment you learn you’re going to be a mom, however that came about. If you carried your child, it means giving up foods, alcohol, and a myriad of other things for the safety of your growing baby. Once that baby comes into your life, it means sacrificing sleep, alone time, and often your appearance.

Being a mom is hard work.

But, as I told my girlfriends the other night while we were out for some drinks, unlike my husband, who gets to leave his job at 5pm every weekday, mine never ends. Sure, he’s a parent too, and therefore he comes home to another job, but it’s not quite the same. We moms are on 24/7. I laughed when I mentioned waking every hour to check on my sleeping daughter and make sure she is still breathing, but this is reality for most moms. Our jobs are endless.

We are rewarded with smiles, laughs, a first word or step, but we are tired. Burnout is real.

So why shouldn’t we get some time to be ourselves again? To remember the me that existed before mommyhood?

I get it, mom guilt is hardcore. But when I left my margarita night, I wasn’t feeling overwhelmed anymore. I was happy to be returning to my beautiful daughter, a feeling that I wouldn’t have experienced if I hadn’t left her for a little bit.

We all deserve some time for mental health restoration. It’s much harder to come by when you’re a mom; why should we feel bad for it?

1 COMMENT

  1. This is so incredibly important! You won’t be a good mother when you are exhausted and burnt out. We don’t need to be martyrs either. Even if it’s just five minutes a day, you can and should take time for yourself! It’s good to model this to your children as well. For our daughters, so they know when they become mothers that self care is important and for our sons, so they know when their futures wives take some time for themselves, it is not selfish, but very necessary and beneficial. I am a much better mother when I take a few minutes to myself. Thanks for sharing!

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