Give Yourself a Pandemic Pep Talk, Mama

I think most moms will agree that motherhood is the toughest role of all. Yes, it's also the best, most rewarding, most heart-filled experience. But for me, it takes major brain work and intentional to enjoy it more than I stress about it. While supportive friends and family are a must-have to get through this roller-coaster of a ride that is motherhood, you are your own best cheerleader. ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC. With everything going on in the world, I don't know about you, but I definitely need extra encouragement these days.

Here are some of the PEP Talks I've been keeping on repeat for myself:

1. Stop trying to get ahead. It will never be all done. There will always be more laundry, more dishes, more mess. There will always be more than your child could be learning. Focusing on all the to-dos and should-dos just makes for misery (trust me, I struggle with this daily). We are home more than ever which means there are more chores than ever. Losing battle. Surrender. Hey! You might even try to embrace the messy house because truth be told, this is a sign of healthy, happy kiddos living in your home.

2. Instead of trying to get ahead, find that sweet spot of feeling like you were productive, while also enjoying time with your kids. After all, time is fleeting, and we will miss these days. A load of laundry that hasn't sat in the washer for so long it smells gross and needs to be washed again is a BIG win for me.

3. Take care of yourself. You know that old saying, "You can't pour from an empty cup". Sorry to tell ya but it's the gosh darn truth! It's taken me 9 years of being a mom to say the words "I need a break". 9 years! And I still feel guilty when I say them. But you know what, I say them anyway. And I say them because I can see and feel a difference after that break. I also get more done when I am in a better state of mind.

4. It is NOT your job to entertain them all day. I promise. Let the children be bored. They will find a way to entertain themselves...eventually. Or dare I say it....give them extra screen time (or whatever it is that helps you). We are living in a flippin' pandemic! Most bets are off.

5. Love, safety, connection. Those are your checklist words for each day with your kiddos. Connection doesn't have to mean you spend 3 hours playing legos. It could mean reading one book together. It could mean braiding your daughter's hair without distraction. It could mean taking a walk together to the mailbox. Focused, uninterrupted time for connection.

6. Stop comparing! Your neighbor or friend or daughter's classmate's mom isn't going to do things the same as you. And this is actually great news because they aren't the mothers of your children. You are! And you have all the tools inside of you to be the BEST mother to them. You were made for them and they for you. So instead of searching Facebook for what everyone else is doing, sit quietly with your inner mama voice and trust her. She knows best.

7. Get rid of the martyr. That martyr living in your head, kick her to the curb. Yep, it sucks. It's unfair. What society is demanding of mothers right now is impossible. Cry if you need to. Take an hour or two, but don't spend too long feeling sorry for yourself. The time will pass anyway and it feels so much better to spend that time in a positive mindset.

It's harder than ever to be a mom right now. But perhaps it's also more rewarding than ever. You are doing the MOST! But your children will remember this time fondly, having spent so much of it with YOU.