Good Mom Week 9: Permission to Take Care of Yourself

You don't really need permission to take care of yourself but moms have this way of putting themselves off to meet all of the other needs around them.  I have found, though, that you cannot really be a good mom if you don't make a focused effort to take good care of yourself. So, I want to give you permission.  Let me be the one who encourages you to make it a lifestyle habit to love yourself so that you can love others well.

So what does it look like to take care of yourself? After {almost} 15 years of marriage and 6 children I am still learning how to do this well. Years of not taking very good care of myself have caught up with me and recently I have had some health issues that have forced me to reevaluate and actually make more time for myself.  

In seeking health, I have discovered some things I can do to make sure that I am strong and ready to handle what will come my way.  Here are some of the ones that I feel are most important:

Really Resting
This year, for me, is about rest. I have been seeking what it means to really rest.  My body needs it, my soul and spirit need it too. So I am making sure to observe the Sabbath day of rest,  I am no longer using caffeine as a false way to feel rested, and I am taking naps and sleeping more when I am tired.

I am choosing to listen to the signs my body gives me instead of fighting them because there are so many other things to do.  I'm letting other things go so that I am rested and refreshed and I'll tell you what, It has made a HUGE difference in my patience level and how I am to handle what arises in my day.

Another way I am resting is by giving God the first part of my morning, even if it's just 5 minutes. This is true rest.  I praise Him and cast my cares on Him.  When I start my day by giving Him my worries, I am choosing to rest in Him and not in my own strength.

Pursuing Your Gifts
God gave you gifts for a reason and, even though this season of mothering is busy, you can {and should} use them {practice and sharpen them} now.  What do you love to do?  God is good in that the gifts and talents He gives us also bring us joy.  Find out what you love to do and give yourself permission to lay down work for a while and pursue them. You will be refreshed and energized and fulfilled.

Pursuing Friendships
I am choosing to pursue friendships more intentionally these days. Having moved halfway across the country nearly 3 years ago I had to leave behind some very dear friends that I love. I still treasure those friendships but I need those kinds of relationships here too.

We all need friends in our lives who we trust and who have our permission to speak truth to us. God doesn't call us to walk this life alone and motherhood certainly needs some cheerleaders.

Don't put relationships with other godly women off because you don't have time. They are vital to your health and your growth and they are worth pursuing!

Tending to Yourself
There are so many ways that moms, especially of young children, have to take care of their kids physical needs.  And we do, day in and day out.  But, I ask you, do you take care of yourself in the same way? This one is hard for me.  I tend to take care of myself with the left over time in the day that just happens to be when I am exhausted and ready to just crawl in bed. 

I am making a renewed effort to give myself facials, make my nails look nice, and take time to do my hair and makeup in new ways.  It helps me to feel better about myself throughout the day and not feel so behind on these things that I don't even get started.  Plus, as and added benefit, your husband will be happy to see that you are making an effort to look nice and take care of yourself!


Putting as Much Thought Into What You Wear as You Do the Kids Clothing
Maybe you don't have this problem but, for me, I tend to purchase my kids cute clothes as often as they need them and dress them well, but when it comes to myself the money has often run out so I have the same old stuff.  It's easy to feel guilty as moms anyway for doing nice things for ourselves when there are so many others looking to us to take care of them.  I have had to start setting more money and time aside to purchase clothing for myself.  My kids don't miss the extra clothes and I feel better about myself.

I also have a goal of getting dressed every day in something that is at least presentable.  This is a little more challenging when your babies are new {and give yourself grace} but as your kids get older take care of yourself by feeling good about how you look each day.



How about you? What are the ways you need to set aside time to really take good care of yourself?  Do any of the ones I mentioned above speak to you or do you have others? Can you let go of guilt {that certainly isn't of God} about taking time to take care of yourself?  Ask Him what you need to focus on and let Him fill you with the truth.

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