Motherhood is a Marathon not a Sprint – An Invitation for Self-Care

Motherhood is not for the weak or the faint of heart.  I mean…just think of your battle story – Uh… I mean your baby’s birth story.  But seriously, when a mom gives birth, she has gone through hours of exhausting, bloody labor and then she is sent home, ready to face her biggest undertaking yet- Motherhood.  With a body that is freshly stitched up and not quite healed – We begin our journey of motherhood in extreme physical, mental and emotional exhaustion

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh said “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart”.  And it’s absolute true.  We would do anything, even give our very lives for our little ones.  And so it begins.  Our primal nature as mothers set in. We do everything for everyone and in the end find no time for ourselves. (Just writing that feels and sounds selfish- but more on that later.)   The way we structure our lives, eating, sleeping, thinking, living, breathing revolves around our children.  Moms everywhere are worried they aren’t doing enough or that they aren’t doing it right.  They are over committed and exhausted and trying to figure out how to “do it all” again tomorrow.

Whether you have a newborn or teenager, it takes a physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual toll on your life.  We all laugh at “#motherhood” – but it ain’t no joke that’s for sure.  If you find yourself over committed, overwhelmed, unsure and just plain worn out – you are not alone.  Motherhood is a marathon and not a sprint. It requires patience and endurance. We need to make sure we are caring for ourselves for the long haul.

Self Care Isn’t Selfish – It’s Life Giving

A mother needs to protect and care for herself just like she does her children.  We’ve all heard the classic analogy of the pre-flight safety announcement that instructs the passengers before take-off.  “If you are traveling with someone who requires care or needs help – put the mask on yourself first, then help those you are traveling with.”  This statement is also true with any other professional rescuers.  Being a lifeguard for several years, I can tell you that lifeguards receive special training on how to keep themselves safe and protected first while rescuing a hysterical drowning victim.  It is a tragic thing for the rescuer to drown with the victim.  In the same way, moms must care for themselves so that they can be the best version of themselves for their kids.  We teach our children life skills, to care for themselves, and yet it is difficult to find time to care for ourselves.  As someone wise once said, “your children will follow your example, not your advice.” 

Your children will follow your example, not your advice.

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An Invitation to Rest

Your self-care is necessary, and your children need to have a mama who parents from a place of rest instead of exhaustion.  As the summer months approach and your rhythm of life slows down a little, this is an encouragement and invitation to find time to rest, recharge and gain some fresh inspiration.  You are worth it Mama!  

Let me know in the comments how you plan to practice self care this summer!