Here are my thoughts on what helps to empower modern mothers at home
- Owning your role as a mother -having a strong belief in your choice to be at home, remember and have clarity about the reasons you are doing it, believing in the value of your choice
- Redefining yourself in your new role and having a sense of pride and satisfaction in the work you are doing. You may need to release some of your old ideas on what is important or what determines success
- Really think about what is important, what do you value most? Having an immaculate house or children who can express themselves and play freely?
- Having clarity about what your role is (and what your partners role is if applicable) and doing those things the best way possible – sometimes this means being more organised, decluttering your house, changing some of the ways you do things to take charge of your role
- View at home motherhood as a valid work or career choice in terms of the dedication, commitment, skills, knowledge and planning required to do it (as you deem) successfully
- Doing it your way and making it work for you and your family
- Following your heart, gut, intuition – do what feels right and fits with your values, if it doesn’t feel right take more time or get more information. In line with this I strongly believe in..
- Making informed decisions – do your own investigating, check information, clarify things, don’t just take an “expert” opinion as being the only opinion remember they have their own beliefs and agendas
- Standing up for your children, your family and yourself, sometimes this means making a fuss, going against the grain. You know your family and children better than anyone else
- Balancing the needs of your family and yourself
- Acknowledge the challenges that come with the role and being pro-active to minimise or overcome these. It can be useful to read some books about at home motherhood to get some prespective on why it can be challenging and to know you are not alone.
- Acknowledge the positives and benefits of the role, maximise these
- Develop a support network, immerse yourself in motherhood. Find a group, groups of individuals who are on the same journey as you to gain support, encouragement and to share your challenges and rewards with. There is nothing like talking to someone in the same boat as you.
- Get involved in things your passionate about – could be playcentre, a community group, supporting others, a night class, lobbying
- Do something for yourself each day. Leave the cleaning and sit down with a cuppa and a book for 10 minutes, have a nice bath – it doesn’t have to be a big thing.
- Take care of yourself – physically, emotionally, spiritually. If having your hair done nicely makes you feel good then do it, if yoga or relaxation is what you need, make it happen. When the majority of your time is spent on others needs and nurturing, it’s important to rejuvenate yourself and fill your cup up.
- Have goals for yourself and your family that you are working towards so it doesn’t just feel like the daily grind.
Please note I am still working on this page – would love your ideas!!