Enjoy Motherhood with these 5 Self Care Tips

Enjoy Motherhood with these 5 Self Care Tips
By Kate Boynton

Motherhood is amazing but can be overwhelming if we don’t take care of ourselves.  So many emotions: happiness, sadness, joy, anger—mothers feel them all. Every day.

Here are five tips that have helped me to enjoy motherhood despite the challenges.

1- Put the Phone Away

One way to enjoy motherhood is spending quality time with your little one without distraction.

Take time away from your phone and play with them, ask them questions, go on outings, etc.

Distracted parenting affects parental happiness as well as decreases the bond with your baby. Read more on the effects of distracted parenting and how to stay mindful when distracted.

Phone time is fine but not during the quality time with your child. Save it for when child is asleep, playing, at school, busy doing something else, etc.

This way, there is less parental guilt about not spending enough time with your child and less peer pressure or comparisons from social media.

Read more on how the “perfect” filter on social media negatively affects our perception of parenthood and sabotage our confidence as parents. Read more on how we sabotage parental confidence without realizing it.

Since my little girl has been born, I have been spending less time on social media and my phone. It has helped me to enjoy motherhood without the added stress of other opinions.

I still use my phone to take photos and share them with friends but making memories with my little girl is more important than keeping up with trends. Spending time away from my phone has made me enjoy and appreciate motherhood more.

2- Me Time

Whether it be having a bath, reading, taking a nap, or just spending time on your own doing something you enjoy, time for yourself is important. It doesn’t need to be hours of free time—who has that?

However, even a few minutes or small chunks of time can make a difference to prevent parental burnout. When the baby naps or is at school, use some of that time for you and not just on chores or your to-do list.

After having a long day full of the many stresses of motherhood, a bath helps me to wind down and relax. It is always a nice way to spend the evening and reflect on what I enjoy about motherhood.

Read more on incorporating self care for busy parents.

3- Be Playful

There is nothing more that has helped me enjoy motherhood than being a playful and energetic mom.

Sitting around watching my little girl play is not fun. It is much for fun when I am joining in with the games. It helps me to enjoy the time I get to spend with her, watch her develop, and notice the sweet small things that would otherwise be missed.

Read more on ways to invite playfulness and inspiration to your day and 10 ways to naturally boost energy and happiness.

4- See Friends

Motherhood can feel isolating and overwhelming. Why not use it to socialize with other parents with kids? Playdate for you and for the kids. Win win!

However, don’t forget to go out with your friends (and without the kids) sometimes too.  Spending time with my friends without my daughter is the perfect way to do this.

Let your partner/spouse build their bond with the child. Dads are not babysitters or Mr. Moms, they are parents! So, let him parent. Or call on grandparents, other friends, get a trustworthy babysitter. Do what you gotta do but take some time to spend with your friends sometimes sans kids.

After having a few hours spending time with my friends, I enjoy coming home and seeing my daughter. That small time away really helps me appreciate her so much more. Everyone needs a small break and socialize with friends.

5- Wake Up Before the Kids

Every morning I try to wake up slightly before my daughter. Yes, this doesn’t always go to plan but when does motherhood?

Waking up before your children gives you a chance to have some time to yourself and get prepared for the day. Use that time for self care, to meditate, work out, plan the day, etc.

I find that when I do wake up first it relieves the stress of needing to rush around sorting everything while she is awake.

Read more on how on being present improves productivity.

I find I enjoy motherhood more as there is less stress and I have more quality time with my daughter. Less to-do list and more enjoy the moments with her.

These tips have really helped me enjoy motherhood and I hope they help you too!

Author Bio:

Kate Boynton is a mom of three striving to do her best. Having experienced the joys and endless struggles of breastfeeding first hand, Kate now helps other mums by sharing tips, hacks, and actionable parenting advice. Connect with her on her blog, Must Best Mom, and social media on instagram, pinterest, facebook, linkedin

The Mindful MD Mom Asks:

What are your favorite tips to enjoy parenthood?

Articles you may be interested to read:

How Mindfulness helps Enjoy the Parenting Experience

Mindfulness Must-Haves for Kids (and parents)

Do We Really Need to Do It All?