If you’re a Type-A, perfectionist control-freak; in touch with your inner Jewish martyr mother (like me), or even if you’re a relaxed, laissez-faire, easy-going type of mama, you might find yourself…
- Juggling way too many balls
- Taking care of everyone but yourself
- Buying all the socks, diapers, and birthday presents
- Spending way too much time cooking and accommodating picky eaters
- Organizing all the play dates, classes, childcare, meals and travel plans
- Feeling bitter, angry, stressed – and/or taking it out on your partner!
If this sounds familiar, perhaps what’s missing on your priority list is….YOU. Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself:
- Are you taking care of yourself?
- Are you eating well and getting enough sleep?
- Can you do less, and delegate more of the day-to-day little stuff?
- What are 3 tiny things you can delegate right now?*
* When I mean tiny, it can be as small as asking your partner to serve you coffee every other day, or take full responsibility for ordering XY or Z.
I write and speak about the Oxygen Mask & Motherhood often, but last week I nearly drowned in Costa Rica. No joke, it was a seriously close call, and my girlfriend and I waited too long to yell for help. But I took away an important lesson about how I live my everyday life. I always take too much on. I don’t ask for help as much as I should. I way-too-often wait until I’m practically dying before I reach out and ask for support. In Costa Rica, it was for real. So, don’t wait until you’re drowning to ask for help. There’s no shame in asking for support. I’m working on releasing my inner martyr, and constantly reminding myself that asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s normal, just not my default, but I’m working on it! What about you? Do you find it hard to ask for help? Share your thoughts and the things you’re going to delegate in the comments below!
