Dear New Mom: Time to Rest

There’s a lot of unspoken expectations for us moms out there. Some days we feel the pressure to keep an immaculate house and teach our kids to speak three languages before they’re walking. Okay, it’s a bit of a hyperbole, but the essence is true.

There are many moms I look at and think to myself, “How on earth does she do it? I can barely convince myself to wear anything other than sweatpants.”

New Mom, what I’ve learned over the last year is that what we perceive to be “motherhood perfection” is often just that: a perception of reality. The moms I see as doing everything right, struggle just as much as I do. Their kids misbehave. Their laundry isn’t always done. They even feed their family takeout.

Motherhood perfection is a myth. We all have good days and we all have “I hope I never have another day like that” days.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take time to rest. Be kind to yourself. You’re doing a big job taking care of those little ones. It’s exhausting. Those little people have a lot of energy and a lot of needs. And sometimes they have lots of tears and anger, too. And some days are thoroughly exhausting. Show yourself some grace and go take a nap, go for a walk, go read a book. Just do something (anything) to take care of yourself. Even the shortest of bubble baths do wonders.

You will be a better mama for it. Trust me.

Quick note to those mamas who work outside the home, too: you are gladiators. Just don’t forget to ask for help now and again: you need rest, too.

New mom, show yourself some grace and take time to rest.

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