Motherhood is often perceived as an innate role for women. Women are expected to know exactly what to do when looking after their children and family. Motherhood requires both a physical and psychological transformation that can both be fulfilling and stressful at the same time. Even though mothers are expected to dedicate their time and efforts to looking after and raising their children, mothers also need to set aside time for self-care and dedication to guarantee good health outcomes.
Besides focusing on their children, mothers are also expected to fulfill other roles such as a wife, a partner, and a caregiver. Therefore, mothers often feel overwhelmed with all the expectations they have to meet. There may come a time when a mother misses the kind of life she had before giving birth. Even though this may cause mom guilt, it is a normal feeling especially considering all the challenges of motherhood. Below are tips to help mothers employ self-care strategies to reduce the overwhelming feelings of stress and pressure.
Addressing Mom Guilt and Its Implications
Most mothers experience mom guilt, a self-imposed kind of guilt that stems from the belief that things should always adhere to specific standards. Mothers believe that they should always be glued to their children, dedicate all their time and efforts to their family, and give everything they have to their children. Even though the intentions behind these ideas are noble, mothers need to remember that they are merely human beings who are naturally flawed.
As a mother, you need to free yourself from unforgiving and unrealistic expectations. It is normal to need help and ask for it when things become too overwhelming. You can never pour from an empty vessel, which is why as a mother, you need to balance the time you give to your children and yourself. You can only look after your family if you are healthy and happy. Otherwise, you might end up succumbing to health complications caused by stress and anxiety.
Shared Responsibilities
Raising children cannot be done by a mother alone. You need all the help and support you can get. Besides focusing on your child’s basic needs, you also have to think about the strategies you can employ to raise your child properly.
It is important to establish a support system so that you always have people to talk to if you feel overwhelmed or face problems with child-rearing. You can ask your partner for help and support. You have to express your needs, and help will be given to you. Maximizing your resources is a good way to address the stressors you encounter during motherhood. Resources can come in the form of a support group, friends, or family members. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone.
Self-Care and Dedication
As a mother, you might find it very difficult to think about yourself. Although this is understandable, you must always find time for yourself because you need to look after yourself, too. Caring for the ones you love can be fulfilling, but remember that you cannot look after them if you are too stressed or sick to function. Therefore, you need to make room for self-care and dedicate a portion of your time towards nurturing your health and wellness. After all, the happier and less stressed you are, the better you will fulfill your role as a mother.
Thoughts about the Future
Most mothers are always worried about what the future might bring. Thinking excessively about the future can take a toll on your mental health and stability. There is not much that you can do about the future. Instead, you can focus on giving your best to the present and making sure that you fulfill your role and responsibilities efficiently. Living in the moment will help you create a stronger bond with your family. Never neglect opportunities to rest, relax, and spend quality time with the people you love.
Extend a Helping Hand
Mothers need all the help and support they can receive. Besides counting on your friends and family, you can also get in touch with a mothers’ support group. There are a lot of support groups that you can find online. To help other mothers, especially first-time mothers, you can offer your insights and share your experiences. There are GDPR compliant surveys about motherhood that you can participate in to help provide useful information about motherhood. You can also join in on online forums, discussions, and meetings.
The key is to offer all the help you can give to make the motherhood journey easier for mothers like you. Motherhood doesn’t have to be a struggle that will cause women to avoid it.
