There are not enough words in the dictionary to capture all that a Mom encompasses. Moms work tirelessly and endlessly for their children as motherhood is a 24/7 job. Just to name a few… Mommas are caregivers, teachers, chefs, chauffeurs, nurses, referees, coaches, stylists, personal shoppers, and crisis negotiators.
Being a Mom is just one of the many hats we wear. We are multi-taskers who, besides being a full-time parent, also have to be there for their spouse, hold down an outside job, take care of their home, volunteer at school and church, balance other relationships with extended family or friends, and try to squeeze in a little of time for self-care. Often we need to add about 10 more hours to our day to complete our endless to-do lists.
Self Care
Being a Mom is B-U-S-Y! Whether you have one child or 10, these little tikes keep you hopping! Juggling so many different tasks as a mom can be extremely stressful, which is why self-care is vital to your physical and mental well-being. Begin by trying the Mom Stress Calculator to evaluate the level of your stress to take steps to chisel out some time for yourself in your daily, weekly, or at least monthly life.
In order to manage all of the chaos in your life, organization can help maintain order for the busy mom. Planners are great for keeping yourself on task with your family, your job, your home, your extracurriculars, and the many other jobs of a momma.
As you organize yourself, realize that taking time for you is not selfish. Do not feel guilty about carving out “me time” because it honestly makes you a better parent. Take time to eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, exercise daily, and sleep regularly because taking care of yourself allows you to take better care of your family.
Intentionally schedule time to date your husband, have a girls’ night with friends, get a pedicure, go shopping for new shoes, or even take a bubble bath. Whatever you enjoy doing, find time to do it. It also helps you keep your identity as an individual and not just be “Mom.” Give your family a happier and healthier Mom and find time to rejuvenate and renew your mental stability.
Career
It has been a long debate of whether it is more difficult to be a stay-at-home or working mom, but I am here to say all moms are diligent and hardworking. I want to add single moms to that list too because no matter where life has taken you, motherhood is an arduous journey. There are definite pros and cons to having a career outside of the home or being a mom who chooses to stay at home. It is a personal decision that every woman needs to make based on their family needs and family dynamic.
Sometimes finances or healthcare benefits are the driving force in the decision to return to the job force, but thankfully more options are available now. Working from home is a good choice if you decide to stay with your children but need to earn some extra money. Sometimes single moms need to find a second job to make ends meet, which is very challenging as a mommy.
Some women love to continue in their careers while others have always wanted to stay home with their kiddos. There is not a right or wrong decision, but rather is a personal, family choice. As women, it is important to encourage one another in their choices as well as helping each other when needed.
Home Care
Kids are messy! You work on cleaning one room in your house as they are busy wrecking another room. It is very difficult to keep your house tidy, let alone perfect, once children come along, especially with all the additional “things” that come with your new baby. Besides keeping your home tidy, you have to add in time to do laundry, cook meals, vacuum crumbs, and the never-ending list of home chores.
Even if your children have chores and your husband shares the responsibility, it is hard to keep on top of everything at home. Read one mom’s account on how she keeps her house clean-ish with small children around. It is possible to keep a tidy home that is organized and well run but it takes time, effort, and scheduling. The planner that is great for self-care is also a good tool for staying on top of household chores.
Outside the Home
Besides taking care of little humans, being a wife, working, taking care of your home, finding time for yourself… you need to find time to volunteer at church, join the PTO, take a creative snack to preschool, host a holiday dinner for the extended family, and drive the kids to all of their extracurriculars. While sometimes it feels like you are juggling and trying to keep many balls in the air, it is valuable to be involved in activities and relationships outside of your home.
Volunteering is an excellent way to teach your children the importance of giving back and caring for others. Find a place where your child can join you, such as a food pantry or a clothing drive. If you volunteer at your child’s school, it helps you get to know other parents, teachers, staff, and know what is going on in the district. It also allows you to have time interacting with other adults which is always a benefit for moms. Being involved in their extracurriculars also helps you become connected with community. While volunteering is enriching, it is also okay to say no if you are unable to assist for that season of life. Sometimes saying no is essential to self-care, while other times serving others is indispensable.
Taking time for friendships and extended family is crucial for busy momma’s. You need people to support you, encourage you, and love on you. The adage “It takes a village to raise a child” is true. Grandparents, siblings, church families, and besties are all people who love you and your family and will come alongside you on your journey. You need a trustworthy support system to join you in the raising of your children, therefore nurturing and valuing those relationships are integral for both parents and children.
