Appreciating mothers and their need for self-care

As Mother’s Day passed the other day, I began to reflect on my mother and everything she has done for me. My mind usually races on what client I have to train next or the day-to-day tasks of being a parent. However, not being able to see my mother in person on Mother’s Day due to quarantine made me really appreciate her and the things I may have taken for granted before.

 
There is no one in my life that has shaped and molded me into who I am like my momma. I know not everyone has a mom who put so much into raising her kids as mine did, or even has a mom present in the first place. So I am truly grateful I am able to have one like her. Little did I know I would possess many traits that I admired of my mom once I reached adulthood. My mother has taught me so much voluntarily and involuntarily. Thanks to her I have developed: 
 

• Work ethic
• A get-it-done attitude no matter what 
• A desire to keep order and stay organized
• A feisty spirit
• The value of family
• The ability to raise my boys
• Wholehearted devotion to my boys
• A love for Jesus

 
My mom gave and sacrificed so much to raise me. As my dad worked two jobs to support our family, my momma constantly ran herself ragged to try and raise my sisters and me. Because of this selfless love I received from my mom, I always want to make sure I am doing everything I can to be the best mom I can be. However, I am not alone when I say that as a mom, I am rarely ever taking time for myself to rest or recharge. 
 
As moms, we feel either we don’t have enough time to be selfish, or we think we aren’t being good moms if we do take some time for ourselves. I know my mom would agree with me when I say that moms should start to become highly aware of their own self-care. We put so much effort and love into our families that we tend to forget that we need to take care of ourselves first if we want to do a good job of loving and raising our families. I’ve heard so many stories of moms getting burnt out or depressed from constant selfless acts. We must remember that we are human beings too. Human beings need to rest, recharge, and be selfish at times. If we take little acts of kindness towards ourselves daily, we can make sure we are strong and ready to take care of others. 
 
Here are examples of small, self-love tasks that we mothers and everyone, quite frankly, can practice every day and still have time to be great moms, friends, and family. 
 

• Daily five-minute guided meditation or devotional time
• A daily call to a good friend or family member that relaxes you and makes you happy
• Daily exercise! (This can be a walk with a friend, a quick 30-minute exercise—anything that gets you sweating and that you can do every day!) 
• Naps (Yes, this is self-care)
• Planning one hour of time every day to do something fun or relaxing for yourself 

 
If you notice yourself feeling run down or tired, self-care can help tremendously. Make sure you are taking time for yourself. That’s what our moms would want for us! Because if you can’t love yourself, how are you supposed to love someone else? 

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