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Sometimes Strength Requires a Break
(Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2018)
“They” have a lot to say about moms being strong:
“A Real Mom:
Emotional, yet the rock.
Tired, but keeps going.
Worried, but full of hope.
Impatient, yet patient.
Overwhelmed, but never quits.
Amazing, even though doubted.
Wonderful, even in the chaos.
Life changer, every single day.”
-Rachel Martin
“Here’s to strong women.
May we know them
May we be them.
May we raise them.”
-Unknown
“Even when a Mother’s soul is tired, she finds strength for her family.”
-Life Quote Journal
“Being a mother means being strong, even though you know you’re weak. Giving them love, even when you want to be comforted. Most of all placing their needs before your wants.” – The Mom Life Uncensored
“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”
-Barbara Kingsolver
“A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.”
-Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Sometimes what “they say” makes me feel like I have to be strong ALL the time or that I have to be perfect… and when I’m not it makes me feel bad, or like I’m not enough. I feel like I need to push through the pain, the tiredness, the emotion.
This week has been hard. All three of my children are sick. I am also sick and I have vertigo. The vertigo has caused horrible dizziness and nausea to the point where I could hardly move. It was so severe I realized I couldn’t take care of my children. I needed to ask for help. And I did. And you know what? I found myself feeling BAD about it. I found myself feeling like I was failing.
But, here is the truth: We don’t have to be strong all the time. We don’t have to be perfect. We teach even in the moments when we lack strength. We show our children that even we have moments of weakness. Even we get tired. Even we get sick. Even we make mistakes. We teach that these moments are to be expected and that it is okay. We teach in the way we handle these moments, in the ways we take care of ourselves.
The truth: It’s okay to ask for help. Sometimes you have to listen to your body. As parents, it is typical for us to try to push through mentally or physically exhausting times. Even though we want to push through, it is so important to listen to our bodies and take some time for ourselves.
The truth: It’s okay to “take five.” In fact, taking time to care for ourselves only makes us better and stronger in the end. Just like you must first put on your oxygen mask before you can help someone else, you have to take care of yourself to be effective.
I have to remind myself, “mind over matter” as I’m running through the day completing each task, all the while forgetting to take care of myself.
So, if you have the opportunity to take time for yourself, always do it. Ask for help. Take turns with your spouse or partner, or a friend so that you are able to have a little me-time… even if it is simply a short trip to Target. And, never feel bad when you need a break, when you are struggling.
Well, that’s my rant for the day. Be healthy! And you know what? If we are even half—a quarter even—of what the above quotes state, then we are nothing short of amazing!
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Great post, thanks for sharing this. It’s so true that we just can’t be strong all of the time. That unreasonable expectation just puts additional stress on moms I hope you and your children all feel better and have nicer days ahead.
Thank you Laura! I totally agree! I have to remind myself not to set unrealistic standards which can’t be met, especially as a parent. Thank you so much for your kind comment!
So good! We can’t be effective parents if we are physically exhausted and emotionally spent with no end in sight! It pays to know your limits and know when to gladly receive help and rest. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Carla! You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing your comment. I couldn’t agree more! Knowing our limits is so important!
I felt so alive reading this. More power to you gorgeous!
Thank you so much dear! This means the world!
Great!! I always try to push through and be strong but I am not an effective parent If I am worn out!
Thank you so much! I do the same thing, and you are exactly right. It makes me less effective when I do!
This is one of the best posts I have read lately. People have such high expectations. The reality, everyone is probably doing the best they know how!
Hi Katherine! Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly appreciate it. I agree! The expectations are so high these days, which is what compelled me to get these feelings out! Thank you!
It so true that if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t do a good job of taking care of others. Thanks for this reminder that it’s ok to give ourselves a break sometimes.
Hi Beth! Thank you! I needed the reminder myself as well. It is so easy to forget to take care of ourselves first as parents!
What a great post! I absolutely agree with everything you said and preach it to all the mom, especially the new moms that I know.
Hi Ya! Thank you so much! I think that’s absolutely wonderful! Supporting each other is so important! Thank you for sharing!
I agree with all of this! It is so important to remind yourself of this because often times we forget to take care of our self since we put everyone else first.
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much! Absolutely! Your words are so true!
You are doing an amazing job! Taking a break is essential for our sanity as moms.
Thank you so much Cyndi! This means the world! I agree completely!
All I can say is “Amen”, momma!
Hi Mary! Thank you so much!!
I completely agree, we all need a break at some point and that doesn’t mean we are weaker because of it.
Hi Luna! Absolutely!
This post reminds us that we need to break and take care ourselves.
Hi Maysz! Thank you so much for your kind comment!
I’m not a mom yet, but I definitely agree that everyone needs a break, even parents. So, enjoy your alone time!
Hi Carol! Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to share! I am so glad you found the post helpful!
We all need break some time during our busy lifes 😀 Even though I am not mum, I can relate to you 😀
Hello One and Half Backpacks! You are so right! Having a break from time to time is good for everyone! Thank you so much for sharing!
I love the honesty of this post…. My mother is one vocal Momma….when she can’t take whatever is at hand.. She’d definitely call for help….
Hi Jeferson! Thank you so much for sharing! I think that is wonderful! I need to remind myself to be vocal from time to time as it is SO important!
I am totally sharing this to my sisters-in-law who are now mothers. This is really nice, such a great reminder to make sure that we take care of ourselves
Aww thank you so much! I truly appreciate that and I hope they will enjoy it! I agree! So important!
Truer words couldn’t have been said.
Hi Kathryn! Thank you so much! I am so glad you can relate! Thank you for your kind words!
Wow, such a moving post. It’s better to be real than fake perfection.
Hi Hunny! Thank you so much! This means the world! I love your comment, “It’s better to be real than fake perfection.” So very true!
I 100% agree with this. We all can’t be strong all the time. You’re already strong enough taking care of three children! ❤️
Hi Ellen! Thank you so much! This means the world! You are so right!Taking care of kiddos is strong!
This is so refreshing and easy to digest. Weldon, your post is clean and well written.
Thank you so much for your kind comments! I am so happy you found the post refreshing!
I completely agree. Sometimes, you just have to take a break from being the “strong” woman/mom
Hi Vaishali! I couldn’t agree more. We all need a break sometimes. Thank you so much for sharing!
Parents or not we all need a break from all of our routines. If we don’t, it will be dangerous and hard to repair, just like cars.
Hi Blair! Great analogy here. This is so true! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sometimes we have to let our guards down and rest. Well even Superman has his Kryptonite. It’s okay not to be okay at times. What matters most is how we can recover after. Great post! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sheena! Thank you so much for sharing! I love your comparison here! You are so right! And I agree it is okay not to be okay. Sometimes we feel we have to be perfect, but we are only human!
I really enjoyed your post! You were obviously raised strong and to be a good parent. A component of any successful endeavor is to know when to take a break along the way, parenting is no different.
Hi Kevin! Very true! I totally agree. Sometimes we all need a break to keep ourselves strong! I appreciate your kind words!
Wonderful post. There’s this unnecessary pressure on moms to be strong. We need a break too
Hi Natasha! Thank you so much! I agree! It is so important to remember that we all need a break from time to time.