Release The Mom Guilt
Hey momma, at home with the kids in the summer, what do your days look like? Does it look anything like this?
Screen doors slamming.
Wet bathing suits and towels on the floor.
Snacks and freezies on repeat.
Bikes and scooters and helmets thrown across the front yard.
Sun kissed cheeks and noses.
Kids in and out.
Tears and scraped knees.
Advice on navigating new friendships.
Rules, boundaries and curfews.
Navigating new parenting territories as children grow in independence.
This is my summer so far and I am so grateful to be here for it all.
The last few weeks have been days around home filled with walks to the park, playing with bubbles and side walk chalk and feeding kids as they come and go from playing with new friends around the neighbourhood.
While all this chaos circles around me, I choose to appreciate that I get to be here for this and I choose to be confident in my choices to make time for activities that fill me up.
A few years ago I was giving everything away and not taking intentional time to take care of myself and I burned myself out. I had my first ever episode with my autoimmune disorder Anti MOG.
Anti-MOG syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). This protein is located on the surface of myelin, an insulating layer that protects nerve cells and helps facilitate communication between them. Barrow Neurological Institute
The attack I had, left me with little sensation in my torso, legs and hands. I was hospitalized and put on an IV for medication for a few days and then spent most of that summer on the couch. Tyler took time off from work and took care of everyone. I remember the feeling of grief as I looked at social media and watched happy healthy people play at the beach with their children. I prayed that I would be able to do all of that again one day.
I was unaware that I had this disorder until I experienced the attack. After treatment and a few months of rest, I had recovered and to this day I have not experienced anymore symptoms. PRAISE GOD! Many people with Anti MOG may only experience one attack. When I asked my Neurologist how to avoid an attack, she simply suggested that I stay in good health. This is so vague but I have made it my mission to learn and honour what good health is for me.
This journey to good health; spiritual, mental, physical, is life long and its so exciting and empowering. This summer I have recognized that not only taking time for my physical fitness but also time to learn and serve others, while at home with my children, helps me to show up more patient and focused with them.
It is not easy to make time for my learning and work while at home but I can see the fruit of it, in how I mother and so I am choosing to be confident in the ways I choose to spend my time. I am owning it.
In the past I would have felt guilty for not giving my children all my attention but guilt does not make me a good mom. What makes me a good mom is intentional time playing with my children AND intentional time doing activities that are fulfilling for me personally.
We are only too busy, if we choose to be too busy.
What fills up your cup?
Today I want to give you permission to release the mom guilt and trust yourself that you know whats best for you and your family.
Now go be your bad ass momma self and own every second of that.
Lead the life you were made to live.
Let’s grow,
Heather
