Being a mom is hard. It’s the hardest job on the planet. While we mamas love our babies with all of our hearts, sometimes we get overwhelmed with the responsibilities of motherhood. I have days where I’m so mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted, that I don’t know how I’ll make it. I become forgetful, lazy and unmotivated. Moms sacrifice so much, and we need to remind ourselves that we deserve to be happy and healthy too.
A great way to start each day is by saying a mantra that is encouraging. This is especially important on those days when you feel like you’ve reached the end of your rope. Any time you feel like you need a break from the daily grind, just step aside and repeat one of these mantras to yourself a few times. Look in the mirror when you say it, so you can really get the message across to yourself.
1. “Just Breathe”
Really. It’s that simple. Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and calm down. When the dishes are overflowing in the sink, and the laundry is piling up on the bed, and the kids are running around, and chaos is taking over your day, take a moment to just inhale some fresh air. Don’t think about your to-do list, or anything else for two minutes. Just close your eyes, breathe in slowly, and let it all out.
2. “I Am Enough”
I think all of us mothers struggle sometimes with whether or not we’re making a positive impact on our children’s lives. We wonder if we’re giving them enough love. We hope we’re giving them enough attention. We want to know that we’re giving them enough direction, wisdom and healthy foods. But the truth is, at the end of the day, all our children need are us. We are enough. No matter how many mistakes we make as mothers everyday, the most important thing we can offer our children is ourselves.
3. “I Will Trust My Instincts”
Hindsight is 20/20. And I know that I’ve had my “I wish I could go back and do that over” moments as a mother. We were given that motherly instinct for a reason, and too often we ignore it because we fear what will happen. But mothers truly do know what’s best for their children, and we shouldn’t feel ashamed about it. I would do anything for my children. We’ve got to trust ourselves and not let the judgment or opinions of others influence our instincts.
4. “After The Storm, There Is A Rainbow”
Some days I feel so hopeless. I convince myself that the nonstop housework will never end. That the children will never give me five minutes of peace in the bathroom. That for the rest of my life, whatever I make for dinner will always be too something and nobody will eat it (other than me). But we have to remember that after every storm is a beautiful rainbow. That things do get better. They do get easier. And, as crazy as it sounds, someday we might actually miss the storm.
5. “Someday My Children Will Thank Me”
I’m so thankful to my mother for teaching me life lessons as a child. I’m glad that she told me “no,” that she denied me of things when she knew something better was waiting. As hard as it can be to have unappreciative children, in the long run, they’ll learn to be grateful. They’ll look back on their childhood and be so glad that you had your “mean mommy” moments.
6. “I Got This”
After having an unplanned home birth with my 2nd child (she was born in my bed!), I know that I can do anything. Mamas- we need to give ourselves more credit. We are strong. We are smart. We were created to birth and raise children, and we must never forget it! Yes, there will be days when we’ll question our decisions. When we’ll doubt our worth and our capabilities. But we are mothers because we can do it!
7. “I Have So Much To Be Thankful For”
Every night when I go to bed, I thank God for my life and for all that I have. No, I don’t have a mansion or a Lexus or a housekeeper (I wish!). But I have precious little eyes that look at me with awe. I have soft little arms that grab me tightly and make me feel loved. I have a messy house, but it’s still a house. And while I don’t get much sleep, I do have a warm bed to sleep in. Learn to appreciate the little things because someday you’ll realize they are the big things.