Being
a mom is both the best, and the hardest, job we’ll ever have. Sometimes it can
overwhelm us just looking at our children, and realizing that we made these
amazing little lives that come to us for guidance, love and the occasional
Kool-Aid spill. The little moments in life that define what it means to be a
mom are so central to our existence, that we can’t image our lives without
them, and we often wonder if we’ll be able to hold it all together.
There’s
always room for improvement (but don’t get us wrong: you’re nailing it already
mom!), especially when it comes to our children. We want them to feel that they
are loved, safe and, hardest of all, prepared for the day that they’ll leave us
to make their own way in the world. To help enhance the experience of being a
mom, and make the most of those precious moments, from their first words to
their first car, let’s discuss four ways you can enhance the mommy experience,
both for you and your little ones.
1. Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle
We
tend to be the most conscious about our figure in the months following
pregnancy. We’ve gotten used to carrying around the extra weight, eating a few
extra calories to help the baby’s development, and have had to cut way back on
exercise. But, now that the baby’s here, we don’t have the excuse to carry
those few extra pounds we did before, and much as we might wish otherwise, that
baby weight won’t all go away on its own.
Once
you’ve had a few months to recover from birth, or even if your children or all
in their teens, you should consider starting to live a healthier lifestyle. A
better diet, regular exercise and some time for mental recovery are all
essential to a longer, fuller life, regardless of your age or gender This is
particularly true for moms: by eating better and spending at least three days a
week exercising, we can improve our mental state, give ourselves more energy to
keep up with and play with our children, and fit into that pre-pregnancy dress
we love so much!
Maybe
even more importantly, though, is the example it sets for our children. Since
we’re the first impression of the world that our children will encounter, we
need to set a good one ladies, and living a healthy life is the perfect way to
start. As they grow older, if we’ve set the example, our children will be far
more likely to make good choices about their own health, and maintain good
habits for a lifetime.
2. Start a Mom’s Blog
As
a mom, there’s no substitute for the love and support we get from our families
and friends when raising our kids, and definitely nothing more important for
staying sane! But when it comes to parenting, the more we can learn, and the
more people we can lean on, the better.
Starting
your own blog to document your mommy journey is a great way to connect with others,
share experiences, and learn as you go. Through blogging, you’ll connect with
countless other moms who are in the same stage you’re at in your parenting
life, as well as older moms and grandmas who are there to listen to your
worries and offer advice that helped them make it through. Blogging also offers
us a place to post our pictures and memories that won’t ever be lost if there’s
a fire, a flood, or through the wear and time of time. There’s also something
wonderful about sharing the pride and joy our children give us with the world!
As
if that weren’t enough, starting a blog is incredibly simple! You just need to
determine your theme (a.k.a. What you’ll write about), register a
domain name, get a basic design set (don’t worry - there’s plenty of
pre-made templates and step-by-steps to help you), and presto! You’re now
officially blogging!
3. Strengthen the Bonds of Your Marriage
Remember
earlier, when we said that you were your child’s first impression of the world
around them, and they’ll be watching everything you do? That goes double for your marriage.
How
you and your spouse interact has the potential impact how your children’s
relationships with others will be for the rest of their lives, and how they’re
feeling right now in their own homes. If you and your spouse are supportive,
encouraging, and nurturing to one another, that will help your children feel
safe and loved in turn; conversely, if your marriage is fraught with tension,
disappointment, or even open resentment, your children will sense this
uneasiness, and they’ll become distressed themselves.
Though
it can seem contradictory, because you may need to sacrifice some of the time
and attention you devote to your children, if you want to be a better example
for your children, and establish your home as a place they want to be and feel
safe in, give a renewed emphasis to your marriage.
4. Do More Activities as a Family
Yeah,
cause we have so much spare time as it is, right? I hear you, but listen to me
ladies: when we look back, and especially when our kids do, we won’t remember
those extra hours we spent putting the finishing touches on that business
proposal, or that Saturday morning we spent tidying up the living room that
wasn’t so dirty in the first place. What we will remember are the moments spent
together, like when our children’s eyes lighting up the first time they saw the
grand canyon, or when they jumped with delight the first time they saw a
hibachi chef light fire to the grill!
Children
thrive on feelings of attention and affection, and they want everyone to feel
the same. With their innocence comes the desire for everyone to feel happy and
fulfilled in what they’re doing, and this is especially true of their own
families. By doing more family activities together, you’re not only creating
memories you’ll cherish the rest of your lives, you’re giving your children the love and attention they need. This doesn’t
mean you have to take a luxury vacation to the Bahamas once a year; you can go
for walks together, have a family game night, or even do a home improvement
project as a family.
The
point is, whenever you can spend time together, doing whatever you can to come
closer as a family, do it!
There’s
no one right way to be a mom. Everyone is different, and everyone has their own
schedule and lessons they want to impart to their children. Regardless of what
your life is like, or what you’d like to be for you and your family, as moms,
we can all benefit from a healthier life, a wider support circle, a stronger
marriage, and more time spent with our families. I’m sure there are days you
feel like you can’t hold it together, but trust me, you’re not alone, and
you’ve got this mom. You’re going to be fine, and so will your children,
because they’ll have you to show them how.
Now, get after it mom!
