Moms are superheroes. They cook, clean, remember appointments, schedule playdates and delegate chores. They are only human, though, and sometimes they may forget things. Trying to juggle all your kids’ responsibilities, your obligations, your home life and potentially your career can push all other thoughts out of your mind. However, just because you’re doing so many things for others doesn’t mean you deserve less than that for yourself.
Less than 50% of moms would rate themselves as doing a spectacular job at motherhood, whether they have jobs or stay at home. While you’re looking after everyone else, you can still take small steps toward improving your own life, bit by bit.
1. Schedule Your Appointments
With all of your kids running around, it might be difficult for you to remember that you have appointments, too. Your health is important and shouldn’t be neglected. Just as you take care of your kids, you must take care of yourself, too.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re managing too many appointments at once. If you schedule everything for one day of the week, you might find it easier to keep up with them. You might have to take your child to the doctor one day, and the following week, it’s your turn.
Those weeks you might have off could be dedicated to catching up on social appointments. When’s the last time you got together with a friend? Just as your kids should have time with other children, you also need to socialize.
2. Budget for the Best Future
As difficult as it is to think about, you need to ensure your kids have the best future, no matter what happens. Before they’re born, you might want to set up a fund that can be used for college or another route after they graduate from high school. If you already have children, planning your will clearly and concisely will go a long way to making sure they’re protected.
3. Eat Healthy
Another part of taking care of yourself, your partner and your children is to prepare quality food that adds nutrients to your diet. It might be easier to go to a fast-food restaurant, but cooking allows you to teach your kids new recipes and give them more autonomy by allowing them to help with the little things.
If grocery trips are overwhelming, plan your meals ahead of time. With kids tagging along and asking to add multiple snacks to the cart, it’s hard to keep your mind on what staples you should add to your pantry. Being prepared prevents you from running into that issue because you’ll have a list. That way, you can quickly go through the aisles and keep track of what you pick up while also allowing a little room in your budget for your child’s favorite treat.
4. Set Goals for Yourself
Whether you have a full-time job or are a stay-at-home mom, you should have personal and professional goals for yourself. You must know yourself well and select specific objectives that don’t leave room for interpretation. By choosing these goals and writing them down, you’re committing yourself to be the best you can be—as a partner, a working professional and a mom.
Keeping your objectives in your mind will allow you to move forward with intention and grace. Every step you take will lead you closer to achieving the realistic and attainable goals you set for yourself.
5. Make Time for Self-Care
Who’s going to look after you and everyone else when you get sick or need some me-time? If you allow yourself to be run down, your daily home life will be disrupted. That isn’t to say you don’t deserve time to yourself—quite the opposite. Taking a break means you won’t hit a brick wall mentally or emotionally. It means your household will continue operating at a steady pace without you.
Basic self-care is essential. As a hardworking mom, you should allow yourself luxuries beyond that. Ask your partner to watch the kids while you get a massage or go out shopping with friends. After everything you do, you’ve earned a break.
6. Cherish the Memories
Your kids are only little once. Since time travel isn’t possible, every moment you spend with your family should be treasured, no matter what it is.
Even if you experience some setbacks in your day, one negative moment means nothing in the long run. Focus on the positives in your day-to-day life, and find things to be grateful for from the second you wake up to the time you go to bed. Changing your mindset to be more positive while allowing yourself to feel the negative emotions will make you a happier person overall.
You’re human, so you’re bound to make mistakes. Nobody expects you to be the perfect mother, and it’s OK to lose track of things now and then. As long as you center and take care of yourself, you’ll be well-equipped to look after the people you love, too.
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Kara Reynolds
Tinybeans Voices ContributorKara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.
