Moms around the world are so dedicated to looking after their kids, they end up forgetting about themselves. You care deeply about your children and want what’s best for them – but you need to make time for yourself too.
Sadly, many women will suffer from mental health issues as a direct result of being moms. The obvious example is post-partum depression, but other problems can come along even after years of being a mom. Looking after another human being and taking all the responsibility for that person on your shoulders can be extremely stress-inducing. It’s imperative that you take care of your mental health – not just for your sake, but for the sake of your family.
If you don’t think mental health is severe enough to worry about, or you can just put the thoughts to the back of your mind, then here are some reasons every mom should spend more time looking after themselves:
Take care of your mental health because your kids need the best version of you
Children need their moms to take care of them and teach them the ways of life. Especially when they’re toddlers and just starting out in the world. How can you do this if you’re not taking care of yourself?!
Ignoring mental health challenges can mean your kids don’t get the level of parenting they deserve. You’re too distracted, drifting off in your thoughts and accidentally neglecting them. Or, you’re so stressed you feel like you can’t focus on looking after your kids, so you may take the easy way out and stick screens in front of them. The worst-case scenario is that you spend so long ignoring your mental health that you end up in a depression rehab center, meaning your kids don’t get to see one of their moms for weeks or months.
Look after your mental well-being so you can be fully there for your kids. You can give them your undivided attention and ensure they grow up with a mom who’s focused on them and doesn’t seem distracted.
Children mimic their Mothers
When you suffer from mental health concerns, some of what you’re experiencing can rub off on your kids. Remember, children are the best mimics out there. If they see you show gratitude to others, they’ll grow up doing the same. If they notice your manners, they will copy them.
So, if your kids see you suffering from anxiety or depression, there’s a higher chance they will go through the same things. They see your behavior and think it’s normal, so they could copy some of the things you do. If you don’t take action to help yourself, do you think your kids will do the same when they’re older?
In all likelihood, if they grow up and experience mental health problems, they’ll copy you and try to ignore or hide it. It’s not a good precedent to set, which is why moms should openly address mental health concerns and take action. When your kids see you going to therapy or practicing mindfulness, it teaches them to do the same. If they have bouts of anxiety, they will remember what you did or feel obliged to reach out and ask for help.
Overall, looking after your mental health is crucial in a few aspects. Firstly, it’s good to get help so you stop silently suffering! Secondly, it helps you be a better mom to your children rather than neglecting them. And finally, you set a good precedent for your kids, showing them that mental health problems are normal but you can deal with them.
