You’ve done it! 9 months have elapsed, morning sickness is a far distant memory, your knees are beginning to make an appearance, and the woes of struggling to sleep, due to discomfort, have disappeared (well slightly at least). You are officially a mother.
Your little being is here, which means it’s time to throw yourself into the full swing of motherhood. Looking at this little person who is fully dependent on you in every way possible will present some of the most joyous of thoughts, but a few worrying ones may creep in too.
Motherhood can be both daunting and exciting at the same time, challenging and rewarding to say the least, yes you’ll have your good and not so good days, but fret not if you take action and work on balancing your new found role as a mother the transition will not be as difficult as you may think.
Routine, Routine, Routine!
Gone are the days of ‘do what you want, when you want.’ If you have never implemented a routine while flying solo, there’s no better time than to start now with your brooding family in mind. Implementing one can make the world of difference to your efficiency, attitude and most importantly your mood and will leave you feeling in control rather than out of it.
There may be naysayers who simply like to live on the edge and perhaps not by the book or as instructed, but the facts are, a mama with a routine in place will most probably be more organized and happier than her counter.
Now, we’re not talking military style precision. You can start off simply by meeting the demands of your baby and setting important matters like cooking, cleaning, relaxing and hobbies around them.
Ensure baby has set bath, feeding, play and sleep schedule and you’ll surely be working sync with one another. Needless to say, there will be days when the whole schedule will go up in smoke, don’t fret and do not let that throw you off course, there’s always tomorrow to get things back into the swing.
Get Some Help
Like many mothers, there are a good number of us who try the octopus method by attempting to do it all ourselves. Juggling everything as if we are the main act in a circus. However, if you take on too much with little structure and delegation, life as a mother will most definitely resemble said circus.
Let’s face it, being a mother is a full-time job and we’re not speaking of a 39 hour work week, more along the lines of 70 hours, plus overtime. This can wreak havoc on your own needs and possibly even health if you’re feeling overwhelmed with it all. There is very little point of plodding along trying to get everything done single-handedly. So when it comes to those amazing supportive family and friends who chime in every once in a while asking if you would like a hand, take the offer up and please accept it.
No judgment will be made against your ability to cope or your capabilities as a parent and if anything you’ll give your baby or child the time to relish and perhaps learn something from another adult. For some, the option of support from family and friends may not be an option for many reasons such as geographical distance, etc. but do not let this deter you. There are many options out there for hiring a babysitter to organising a group of mama’s who you can rotate a babysitting circle with, which will essentially give you some well deserved time out.
Loneliness
Motherhood is undoubtedly one of the best experiences we can have as women. However, the strains of such a change in lifestyle can lead to isolation and loneliness, which in turn can lead to anxiety and even depression.
As mothers throw themselves into getting to grips with motherhood, it is all too easy to become consumed with the constant cycle of feeding, changing and not to mention the mass of other daily activities accompanied with becoming a new parent. It is extremely important to remember your need for adult interaction and to ensure you partake in an activity that you feel is stimulating for you.
Many mothers experience loneliness because they are too afraid of approaching other mothers and worried about what people will think of them or how they will come across, but the truth is every mother needs a supportive tribe and that the woman who you see in the park merrily pushing her baby along may be just as lonely as you.
An hour or two at the park, a new hobby (yes there is time!) or a phone call to a family member or friend can solve this. Try talking to other mums whom you meet at classes or coffee shops and whom you can share stories, tips and laughs with.
You Time
Remembering who you were pre-baby may come to mind from time to time. The ability to pop to the shops without a second thought, change of nappies, bottle and stroller or sleep in until 10am will now be a very distant memory. Nevertheless, it’s okay to take back some time for yourself for some serious self care.
Unwind with a hot bath and lavender oil (proven to help with relaxation!), read a book you’ve always wanted to read or watch something that makes you smile. Simply reminding yourself that you are still an individual will help you maintain who you once were and ultimately still are.
Meditation, Reiki & theta healing
In order to feel in control, you need to be in control. A lot of the time parenthood can leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed with everyday tasks, finances and important decisions that need to be made.
A great way to combat this feeling or to at least aid it is through Mediation, Reiki or Theta Healing. Each option can assist with stress, anxiety, and depression and are proven techniques for bringing peace, serenity and calming the mind leaving individuals feeling lighter and refreshed.
Meditation, in particular, can be done at home, with many online resources offering tips or delivering sessions. All you require is a quiet space (so probably best to be done when the baby is napping.)
Set aside as little as 5 minutes to 30 minutes each day.
Reiki is practiced by registered practitioners, with sessions lasting from 20 minutes to 1 hour. The importance of taking time to recharge your energy is vital in motherhood and can, in turn, lead to your overall wellbeing.
Theta Healing is a meditative technique that creates physical, psychological, and spiritual healing while the client and practitioner are in a theta brainwave state.
Motherhood is a life-changing role and the experiences we may have at times will be challenging, but if we take care of our well being and ensure that we are engaging in fulfilling activities and are nurturing our happiness, we will not only exude positivity but be able to thrive in our new roles too.