This is not the Mother’s Day you were expecting

Whether this is the first, the fifth or your tenth Mother’s Day, it will not be the day you anticipated. Even in perfect times, Mother’s Day is not quite the Hallmark movie-esque experience it is made out to be in media. Today, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a day that will celebrated far more quietly. In many ways, it will probably feel just like every other day over the last two months that we have been staying at home. But, days like today, may emphasize the stress, the social isolation, the anxiety and depression as well as the losses and the overwhelm you’ve experienced.

Now, more than ever, as a mother, you often forget to take care of yourself because you are so caught up in the madness and stress going on around us.

However, now, more than ever, it is really important that you do take care of yourself. Especially if you have experienced additional stress or loss during this time. Here are some strategies to help you:

Make time for yourself.  It is so easy to forget that you’re important too! This is why you need to make time for yourself every day.  You may think that there is no time, but there is if you make it. It might be before they wake up, after they go to bed or perhaps when they are napping. Rather than doing the laundry or wiping down the counter for 6^th time today, give yourself a break. Drink that cup of tea. Slowly. Read a book or take a long shower.  Your relaxation time doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it needs to be there. Even 15 minutes every day can make all the difference!

Use time-outs for yourself.  Many mothers feel like they just have to keep pushing forward when they are about to come unglued. Recognize that all moms get stressed and often need to take a breather – just like kids!  Instead of continuing to push forward when you are about to snap, walk into another room. The kids will be fine. Just breathe deeply for a few minutes. Picture how you would like to respond to the situation. Remind  yourself that it is important for you to be calm. After all, you’re a role model for your children.  A minute or two in “time out” can make for a great day for the whole family!

Eat healthy.  If you ask 100 moms what their diets are like, at least 85 of them will look at you and cringe.  Unfortunately, there’s a tendency to just eat what you can, when you can.  Often times, meals consist of the kid’s leftovers. You may need to make a conscious effort to eat well.  When you eat nutritious foods, you are providing your body with the energy it needs to keep up with your kids and cope with the stress you are encountering.

Get the kids on a schedule.  The best thing you can do right now is to get your kids on a schedule and keep them on it.  When you have a routine, you’ll feel more comfortable and organized.  When you don’t have a schedule, you may begin to feel scattered or disorganized and your stress levels will increase exponentially!  Things are always unpredictable when kids are involved, but when you have even the simplest structure, your days will be a little more predictable and you’ll save your sanity!

These small changes can make a huge difference in how you feel, not just on Mother’s Day, but everyday. Yes, today is supposed to be a celebration of appreciation for mothers. It is different this year and it is not what you expected. But, you can do something for yourself, and this can make a really big difference in how you feel.

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