In case you didn’t know, mothers are the real MVP’s. Just think about it… They’re able to juggle finances, a career, and their families; And we can’t forget to mention that they can house one to multiple babies in their bodies… so top that fellas! However, all the strength and responsibilities that mothers have oftentimes leave them feeling overextended and stressed.
Now, every mother is different and has their own unique way of running their household and raising their children, but when it comes to the demands, responsibilities, and stressors that mothers experience, it’s pretty universal for most moms.
You see, motherhood encompasses a physical and psychological transformation, and that alone is quite consuming in itself. On top of that, friendships will change, and the balance between being yourself, a partner, and a mom can seem to be too overwhelming… But all of this comes with motherhood, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing either.
Entering the world of motherhood challenges you and gives you a strength you may not have ever thought you could have, and there’s nothing wrong with embracing that and taking those challenges head-on. But the only way to take those challenges head-on is to do it in a healthy way, and that’s what’s going to help you manage the stress that comes with motherhood.
It’s also important to know that being supermom all the time of every waking moment isn’t sustainable and sometimes you just need a good ugly cry to let it all out… and that’s okay, there’s no shame or guilt in that. But once you gather yourself, you can get back to taking on motherhood like the true supermom that you are. Take a look at some common stressors of motherhood and ways to manage that stress.
Biggest Stressors of Motherhood and How to Manage the Stress
Demands of Your Relationship With Your Partner
In taking on the role of mother, it can sometimes mean that your role as a partner takes the back seat, especially if you’re a first-time mother still learning how to make time for the new baby and your partner.
Kids really do change everything. Maybe you and your partner would have romantic evenings every Friday night to keep the spice going in the relationship, but ever since the baby was born, those romantic Friday evenings have been replaced by pumping, bath time, and moments of silence to not wake the baby. Enduring such a change can put stress on your relationship making your partner feel neglected, especially when children are younger and need more attention.
Communication is key here. If your partner mentions feelings of neglect to you, make a point to talk to them about it because your family’s dynamics will change. But if you let your partner know the new baby schedule and your schedule, things can be worked out to plan time for each other, because you’re still a human being too and need love and affection from your partner just as much as they need it from you.
Physical Appearance
As much as your partner tries to tell you that you look beautiful after having the baby, you don’t always feel that way. Your body has undergone a huge amount of physical stress which can sometimes leave your body feeling and looking totally different.
It’s understandable for moms to feel the stress of getting back to the way they looked prior to getting pregnant, especially when these celeb moms will have a baby and seemingly go back to their supermodel bodies immediately after giving birth… but that’s not a reality for many moms.
The key here is to approach your health and wellness slowly. You may not be able to join a gym at the moment, so load the baby up in the stroller and go for a nice stroll in your neighborhood to get more physically active. If you noticed a decrease in your energy or thinning hair (which is common after giving birth), drink green juice daily to improve your wellness goals.
But in all honesty, you have to cut yourself some slack… You just did an amazing thing in giving life to another human being… Give your body the time it needs to get back to itself.
Self-Doubt
Am I doing this right? Probably not! And that’s okay, being a mom is a learning experience. Sure, you can get advice and helpful tips from other moms but the truth of the matter is that your child is not their child. There will be some commonalities in raising your child that other moms have experienced, but at the end of the day, what worked for their child may not work for yours.
Just know that whether you’re doing it right or not, you’re doing it. There’s no rule book on how to be a good mother, you can just be the best mother you can be, and know that it’s okay to ask for help too. So let go of the self-doubt