Momma, I want to tell you that it’s okay to make you a priority.
We clean up vomit at 2:00 in the morning because our kiddos need us.
We give up control over our growing bodies for 9 months because our babies need us.
We nurse or bottle feed our newborns for months on end because our babies need us.
We play chauffeur, cook, cheerleader, doctor, loan officer, housekeeper, and so much more for YEARS on end because our babies need us.
But what about you?
What do you need?
I heard a dear friend of mine say something like, “It must be nice to get to go on vacation by yourself. I’ll go on vacation again someday. But by then I’ll be old…”
Excuse me?
What did you just say?
Why someday?
Why not now?
What would happen if you got in a car, by yourself, and went away for 24 hours.
Would the world stop turning?
Would your kids stop living?
I’ve got news for you.
You’re not gonna like it.
I’m sorry…
But…
you’re not that important.
The world continues to spin even when you’re not around.
Your husband is a capable human (and if you disagree with that statement, that’s a topic for another day… he really IS very capable, and he wants you to be happy!) He can take care of your kids for 24 hours.
Your mom, or your mother-in-law, are very capable humans. They love your children. And chances are? They would be THRILLED to get to take care of your kids and have quality time with them without you around.
You have capable people in your life. You really do.
Maybe it’s not family, but what about neighbors and friends? They can handle your kids.
The REAL gut wrenching question is… can YOU handle being without your kids?
Do you even know who you are without them?
Another spoiler alert: one day they won’t need you anymore. They’ll be grown and gone.
And you’ll be left with… you! And your husband!
So… don’t give everything to them in this season and forget about you.
You matter too.
If you don’t make you a priority? Who will?
One of my favorite quotes is, “Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive!”
I want to change that up a little bit and say instead, “Don’t ask what your kids need, ask what makes you come alive and GO DO IT! Because what your kids need is a mom who has come alive.”
“…what your kids need is a mom who has come alive.”
When you spend time at your dance class, or your pottery class, or learning about gardening, or have a wonderful time going to dinner with your friends, or sneak away to the gym, or visit a friend for 24 hours, or run a marathon, or teach a class? You come back rejuvenated.
You come back ALIVE. And ready to be mom again.
So… momma. I want to ask you again:
Who are you?
And if you don’t know the answer to that?
Who did you used to be?
Are you still her?
And if not? Go get her back.
Your kids deserve to know the real you. The alive you!!
Come alive.
Do things, on purpose, everyday, that help you come alive!
