Number one – you clicked on this article and you’re interested to see what it contains. That shows you care, and that you’re looking for something to help you become better. It also shows that you care for your own emotional health, and that is essential in motherhood too. Self-care is necessary, and so why this post isn’t here to overly fawn over you or assume things that may not be true, it is here to give you a little cognitive break after a troubling year, and a troubling time for any parent.
Odds are, you’re a much better mother and parent than you give yourself credit for. It’s extremely easy for us to judge ourselves and to be our own harshest critics, especially because absolutely no one on planet Earth has ever or will ever be the perfect parent 100% of the time. However, we would suggest that actually giving yourself credit and recognizing what you’re doing well can help you repeat those helpful efforts – and you’ll also feel more secure as a person.
So, let’s consider what this might mean:
You’re Always Caring
Your first thought when you wake up is for the welfare of your child. You go shopping and seek to find foods that they’ll like, while also keeping them healthy. You feel it when they cry, and know that while tough love is important, you wish you didn’t have to do it. Unfortunately, it’s not always guaranteed that a parent will take such care for their child. If you do, you’re already most of the way there to serving as an excellent parent.
You Take Care Of Yourself
Here’s the catch – no parent can ever be a good parent without taking care of themselves. Even if you direct every waking hour to your child, sooner or later you’ll burn out without practicing self care. Good ways to improve this is to catch up on your sleep (where appropriate), stretch, eat healthily, try and manage your stress, and enlist help when you need it. Sometimes being a little selfish is the least selfish thing you can do. If you can take care of yourself in this manner, you understand what it takes to be the best parent you can be.
You Celebrate The Experience
There are many ways to celebrate the experience of having a child, and not taking it for granted is the first step. They really do grow up so quickly, and so it’s important to recognize them for who they are now, and to have fun with them as you can. This might involve taking the time to buy baby clothes, or have fun with a few toys, or spend time in arts and crafts. It’s the little things that show your love for them, and that quite clearly present you as a parent filled with love. Don’t discount those experiences – they really do mean a lot.
With this advice, we hope you can understand that you’re likely a much better mother, or parent, than you give yourself credit for.
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