Mother’s Day is around the corner and you may see it as one day to reverse roles and take care of the person who takes care of everyone else. Being a mother is not an easy job because it requires a great amount of patience and perseverance, not to mention that mothers must learn as they go. Although not easy, life without children wouldn’t be the same. There are so many issues to deal with when raising children, that sometimes life can become overwhelming.
What do veteran moms know that can help new mums feel reassured? Perhaps, instead of saying, “Congratulations on your new arrival,” we should say, “Welcome to the ranks of confident mothers.” Here are other secrets of veteran mums:
Give Yourself Pep Talks. Repeat: I feel overwhelmed and that’s okay. This feeling will pass once I admit it to someone and keep carrying on.
Practice Self-acceptance. Repeat: I look good enough to take care of this baby. I can let go of impressing the outside world temporarily and simply focus on meeting our needs.
Discuss Co-parenting. Repeat: sometimes co-parenting is confusing. But if we take time to discuss our parenting hopes, dreams, and needs as we go, everyone’s desires will get addressed.
Weave A Network Of Support. Repeat: there are services available in my area for pregnant women and new mothers if I seek them out. We can find the resources we need.
Be Calmly Informed. Repeat: there is nothing wrong with asking questions. When I have a concern, the input of informed friends and professionals can quickly set my worst fears straight.
Stand Up For Yourself. Repeat: when I am feeling shaky, and others are making me feel worse, I can simply say, “I am not looking for any more input at this time, but thanks for trying to help.”
Keep Your Balance. Repeat: when I take excellent care of myself, I can go from overwhelmed to confide more easily. I value my own company, no matter how scarce, more than ever.
There are significant links between parent and child life satisfaction, and that the life satisfaction of both sons and daughters is more strongly linked to the life satisfaction of their mothers than their fathers. This is despite the fact that, nowadays, mums can be the primary breadwinners in their family, and both men and women can share responsibilities in raising children. In the majority of modern families, mothers remain the primary caretakers to their children and homes. So, it’s no great surprise that the mother’s mood would affect that of their children.
According to a study, the links between a mother’s happiness and satisfaction and her child’s are partly due to “transmission of behavioral choices associated with happiness.” So, what are the “behavioral choices” most associated with happiness? The same study found three significant factors to be: a balance between work-life, regular exercise, and active involvement in social activities with friends. In other words, like any human being, a mother needs to live a full and active life. Happy Mother’s Day!
Source: https://issuu.com/ourkidsmagazine/docs/our_kids_magazine_may_2017; https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/201505/challenge-mothers-everywhere
Writer: Aulia Nurdini
Editor: Todd Cordy
