Valentine’s Day is over. Whether you’re extra and made homemade, gluten-free Valentine’s for your kids class or took the easy route and grabbed some from the dollar section at Target, you slayed. I’m sure you also did something wonderful for your husband too because as a mom and wife, this is what you do. But I want to know what did your family do for you? Or better yet, what did you do for yourself? Because those L’Oreal commercials were right, you’re worth it. Girl, love yourself.
This mom thing isn’t easy. We are doing all the things 24/7, and I feel moms are the most underappreciated on this holiday, and most of us don’t think we’re worth spending a few extra minutes or dollars on ourselves.
It’s ridiculous.
As a single mom, I am literally ready for a nap as I pull out of my driveway in the morning because getting my sloth child and me out of the door is best described as a feat on most days. It doesn’t stop there either. There’s still work and all the adult things that happen before I put my daughter to bed at 8:00 pm. I don’t get to sit my butt down to enjoy the silence and an hour of Bravo until 9:00 and too often enough, that’s what luxury feels like. That’s it, one hour of Andy Cohen and his housewives and a maybe if I’m feeling it, a glass of wine. It’s self-care at it’s laziest, and from one mom to all of you, I think we can do better.
The sad thing is, this is the only way most moms commit to self-care. One tiny hour out of their day after they’ve killed it. It’s like we’ve lost ourselves to the motherhood and don’t feel like we deserve more than an hour of quiet time at night. It makes me sad because we are worth so much more for all that we do.
I know you’ve heard the saying, “If mom ain’t happy, no one’s happy,” yet I hear all the time how moms are not taking care of themselves.
It’s time to stop saying:
I don’t have time for my hair appointment.
I don’t really spend money on myself.
My husband won’t let me go away for the weekend. (He does it, so why shouldn’t you?)
Ladies….. ladies, even if you are not the breadwinner or committing a dime to your bank account, you are the CEO of your family, and it’s time you recognize your worth. It is you doing all the things, making the meals, taking care of the kids, folding the laundry, and all the different responsibilities that go unnoticed, and you deserve something for yourself. It’s not selfish, it’s self-care, and it’s essential to love yourself.
Whether it is setting time aside to read for an hour, soak, undisturbed in the tub, shopping alone at Target, or going big and flying the coop for the weekend, these are all things that will not only keep you sane but will keep you feeling appreciated as well.
Don’t feel ashamed because you left your husband in charge of the kids. Yes, he works long hours, but so do you, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed just because you’re mom.
If you’re still feeling a little uneasy about making such a crazy demand (seriously shaking my head), remember that our kids deserve our very best and not some psycho who flies off the handle over ruined new Uggs (been there). More importantly, we need to set a good example for our girls. Our girls deserve to see a mom that not only makes a bomb sack lunch for school but also knows how her worth, how to love herself and that it’s totally okay to put herself first.
And if all else fails, at least remember this. You is special. You is important. You is worth treating yourself.
XO,
Megan
