The arrival of a new family member, even the most eagerly awaited and desired, is a revolution. Priorities shift 180%, most of your previous worries fade away, and seemingly common and trivial problems like colic or teething become mini-earthquakes. New mothers worry from morning till night whether their baby is getting enough to eat, whether they have a tummy ache, whether their teething isn't bothering them too much, whether they're developing at an appropriate pace, whether they're lacking anything. This is natural. The smallest member of the family becomes the center of the family and receives 100% of the parents' attention. A mother's most important mission is to meet all of her baby's needs, but an equally crucial task is caring for the person who is most important to her child: herself. It's easy to lose yourself completely in motherhood; nature itself designed us that way, but you must remember that a happy mother is a happy child. Take care of yourself and find time to be your own best friend. I'll tell you some of my reliable methods.
1. Home SPA
Has your child finally fallen asleep? Or perhaps they're contemplating the black-and-white drawings in their first book? Run to the bathroom, apply a mask, exfoliate, or apply some natural makeup. I guarantee this little touch of luxury will make you feel like a new person, even in a tracksuit or a bathrobe.
2. An exciting walk with a baby
When preparing for your daily walk with your little one, don't forget to pack a book in the stroller, and if your child needs the stroller to keep moving even while sleeping, get an MP3 player and an audiobook. This will make every walk, even if it's the same route, interesting and exciting.
3. Effective cleaning with a child by your side
Sounds like a good joke? Nothing could be further from the truth. Wrap your baby in a wrap and get to work! Snuggled up against you, soothed by the sound of your heartbeat and lulled by your movements, your little one will fall asleep peacefully, leaving you with both hands free. This way, you can cook dinner, clean the apartment, or even go to the store.
4. Evening chillout
An additional benefit of the previous trick is that in the evening, once your child is asleep, the house is clean, and you can peacefully plan your rest. An evening spent watching your favorite TV series, reading a book, playing a board game, or simply chatting with your husband is always a good idea. It will help you recharge and mentally rest.
5. Mom has a day off
Once in a while, go to the beautician, hairdresser, or go shopping with a friend. Take the kid to the grandparents' while you take your husband out on a date. A movie, a restaurant, or even an hour's walk will be good for you and your relationship.
Do all this without guilt, remembering that a tiny baby, in addition to a full belly and a dry diaper, also needs a happy, calm mother. By taking care of yourself, you also take care of your baby. So get to work!
Mama Carla – a perfectly imperfect mom who thrives professionally in Warsaw's corporate world, runs the blog www.mamacarla.pl , and lives life to the fullest, stretching the day to its limits. She's passionate about attachment parenting, Norwegian crime novels, and chocolate.
