Let me say that again:
YOU ARE WORTH PUTTING FIRST.
I know, I know, it goes against the grain as a parent doesn’t it? We’re supposed to put our kids first above all else, right?
WRONG. Because here’s the rub: you can’t give your children your best, if you don’t take care of yourself first.
When you’re in a plane listening to the attendant telling you about all the safety procedures and such, who’s mask do they tell you to put on first? YOURS. So you can make sure you’re getting enough oxygen to properly support those around you without passing out.
When you’re teaching your children how to take care of themselves, do you tell them to look after everyone else and put themselves at the bottom of the pile? NOPE!
Well guess what? Your children are watching your every move. I mean, they don’t even leave you alone to pee, right? So what are they learning by watching you do everything for everyone and never take time out for yourself? Guess whose behaviour they’re going to model as being their normal when they’re older? YOURS.
It’s more than that though… you DESERVE to put yourself first.
To think about your needs, your wants, and your desires. I mean, I’m not saying if you want to go out for the night to leave your kids to do it (god just don’t ever do that… at least not till they’re older teens who are reliable enough to not burn the house down), but if you’ve promised them a trip to the park at the weekend, it comes around and you feel ill and knackered, tell them it’s a day in the garden or watching movies snuggled up on the sofa instead.
If you want to work on your blog rather than watch peppa pig (oh god I hate that show) with them for the 15th time that week (that day?), settle them down to watch and go do it.
If you can leave your kids with someone else while you go do the week’s shopping without anyone nipping at your head, then do it.
Your peace of mind, your thoughts and feelings, your LIFE… is all worth spending time on.
What can you do today that puts you first? I bet there’s something, even if it’s as simple as going for a five minute shower in peace once the kids are asleep, or taking yourself out to the car to read a book during the bedtime routine so that your kids don’t try to insist that they need you rather than your other half (they want you, obvs, but they will honestly be ok without you!).
Put yourself first. You are worthy of that, always.
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It’s my turn to host The Monday Motivation Linky this week! I love reading everyone’s posts and sharing them – we’re here to lift each other up after all, right? Remember to keep to the theme of being uplifting, inspirational, and motivational. I can’t wait to read them!
My two favourites from last week’s linky hosted by School Runs and Shopping Trolleys were:
- This wonderful post by the lovely Raise Bay about Self love and self care… I couldn’t have put it any better myself! After all, even in planes and such they always remind us to put our own masks on first before helping those beside us.
- This post by Sara from Mummykind about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – I didn’t actually know what it entailed, though I had heard of it! Really interesting read and makes a *lot* of sense.
If you have a post you’d like to link up, please add it below. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #TheMMLinky and grab your badge code from my sidebar over on the right to add to your blog posts!
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