It's my 3rd mother's day!!! This year I wanted to do something a little different. With the pandemic still taking a toll on our lives, appreciating the little things ha become a daily practice of mine. I wanted to extend this reflective practice into something that can be shared with others. So I created pdf doc with printable coloring illustration you can download here.
The images represent my top 3 lessons I've learned on this motherhood journey thus far:
the importance of having a tribe
being okay with resting
reconnecting with self
Lesson 1 : It takes a village.
I heard this quote so much as a kid and to be honest, it used to get on my nerves. But the further along I got in life, the more I began to apply these words to my life. I am so thankful and grateful for the people I have in my life that make up my tribe. From my childhood friends, to my sisters and mother, my new extended family of in-laws, even my online community, there have been so many to come to my rescue when I was in need.
As mothers I know many of us try not to be a burden to others, or feel guilty for asking for help. But some days we need to. We need to lean on others when we aren't as our best, so that we can take a step back, recharge, and come back full of love for our children. And that's okay. Embrace it.
Lesson 2: Rest.
This has been the hardest for me to do. There have been more days than I can count where I avoided taking a nap because there was "too much to do." Even when I was tired. But that ultimately was the wrong thing to do. So not only to day, but whenever you can, rest. Sleep. Sit down and take a break. Our children know when we aren't happy and trying to fake it for their sake does everyone a disservice.
So pamper yourself some. Take a bubble bath, get a face mask, take a nap with the baby. You deserve it.
Lesson 3: Don't forget about yourself.
As mothers it's easy to get caught up in our role as caretaker, nurturer, provider, and teacher. But at the end of the day, being a mother is just one side of who we are. Sure our bodies might have changed and we can't do all the things we did before the kids, but we are still our unique selves deep down. And that woman needs you just like your child(ren) needs you. Sit with her, listen to her, find a new (or old) hobby to enjoy. Tap back into that magic that sparked joy in your heart.
I know we are living in odd times, and balancing it all some days feels like rocket science. I want to challenge you this Mother's Day to celebrate the woman you are right now in your own way no matter what's going on. You are awesome and I see you.
Happy Mother's Day Beautiful.
-bR!