As moms, we often find ourselves in an ongoing state of trying to work out our next move.
Did our child have enough to eat? Is there enough time to do the laundry, go to dance practice, and finish homework while allowing a healthy amount of quality time? Watching the news, reading various parenting blogs, and speaking with our team of health professionals are continuously at the tip of our fingertips.
As a clinician and a mom, I feel that taking that moment of reflection and pause gives the speeding scenarios in our heads a chance to breathe. We can calmly recount the activities of the day and the days ahead with a clear focus.
Often, one can be blinded by what they see others doing and start to question themselves. Should my child be doing more activities? Am I missing out on a necessary element in my child’s journey of self-actualization? The fact you are interested in reevaluating your paths of parenthood is evidence that you are present.
What would be considered enough to say the following statements confidently?
- I am a good parent.
- I am doing my best.
- Everything’s going to work out.
What evidence do you need emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially to answer these questions? At this moment, take the time to identify what being a parent means to you. What were you looking for when you were a child? What are your children looking for, and how do we know we have arrived at a healthy place?
Enjoy your children, and take a deep breath. Relish in their excitement in every new experience. Smile, laugh, and allow yourself to see the wonders of a child’s mind. Appreciate the innocence of a child’s curiosity and permit yourself to play. Create a space for yourself and your child to experiment, explore, and find gratitude in all life offers.
Find joy in the simple things while using them as vessels for learning. It is powerful to teach your children that each day is a gift. In addition, search for joy in your daily routines.
As adults, we can become caught up in life’s rat race. There is a time and place for the extravagant, but that should not be the only source of excitement. Finding satisfaction within ourselves empowers us to know that what we need is within us.
Emotional independence is important for adults and children. It enables one to realize that we don’t have to rely on others for fulfillment. We can derive our sense of achievement from within.
However, on the other hand, be mindful not to isolate and withdraw from the community. While it is prudent to have a strong sense of self, having a trusted group to utilize as a sounding board is also imperative.
Take time each day to inventory your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. Observe your satisfaction with each and its impact on your and your child’s quality of life. Remember the old adage, “It’s quality, not quantity.”
Enjoy your children, be present, and foster your inner child. Trust when enough is enough.
