5 Things You Shouldn't Do as a Mom
We all know parenting doesn’t come with a set of instructions. There is so much information to take in and digest on a daily basis about what you should or should not do as a mom. We are overwhelmed by content from social media, advice from others, and our own gut reactions to the point where things start to feel muddy. I’m here to give you five definitive things you shouldn’t do as a mom starting right now. Take note because these are important:
Don’t compare yourself to others.
You are not on the same journey as everyone else. Your life is on its own unique path that might be similar to others but is not identical. Comparing yourself to what someone else does or does not do will only make you feel worse about yourself in the long run. Especially when it comes to motherhood, take your own journey in stride and know that you are doing the best you can for yourself and your family.
2. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
For those of us that have Type A personalities, this one might be a little hard to do. In the long run, the little things that don’t go quite right won’t make that big of a difference. You forgot to pack one snack for school one time. So what? You resort to drive-thru for dinner instead of cooking everyone in a while. Big whoop. Many times the small moments where we find ourselves stressed can be learning opportunities for our little ones (and ourselves!) and sometimes create the best and longest-lasting memories.
3. Don’t forget about your self care.
You are an irreplaceable part of your family. You carry the weight of the world (and then some) on your shoulders every single day. It is not only important but absolutely critical that you take the time to care for yourself each day to keep yourself from getting burned out. As they say, motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. Set aside time to do something you enjoy, connect with others, or even just flourish in the silence of an empty car post school drop off.
4. Don’t shut people out.
Moms need human connection, and not just the kind that comes from sticky fingers and boogery noses. When things get stressful, it’s easy to turn inward and not share your struggles with others. It’s actually more beneficial to seek support and love in these tough times. Take the time to connect with other adults in ways that make sense for you. Set a time to call your best friend and chat for a while about anything at all. Make plans with your adult friends or family members on a regular basis to get out of the house and get some face to face connection happening. You’ll feel refreshed after some quality time with other adults, I promise.
5. Don’t give up everything you love.
This seems silly to have to say, but many moms find themselves completely lost in the depths of motherhood. Remember before the kids came along? Remember that happy, enthusiastic person with so many interests and hobbies? Bring those back! If you loved playing your French horn outside in the snow before kids then pick it back up! If you enjoyed attending an underwater basket weaving course on Tuesday evenings, get yourself back on that class roster! Just because you’re a mom now doesn’t mean that’s all you are. You still get to be you, even if it’s a slightly different version of you.
