Bookworm Cottage Style

I came across this quote on Instagram (by way of Maura) and something about it really stuck with me. I don’t want my kid to look back on childhood and think of me as burnt out or stressed out or always tired. I want to model a full, joyful, balanced life regardless of my age. I am so fortunate to be able to keep my baby clothed, fed, healthy, and housed. I try to keep reminding myself that if those needs are met, nothing else is worth stressing about. I am still getting my groove with parenting, but here are a few areas of intention that I hope to focus on.

• Prioritizing my Health. I am not a young mom, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel energized. Fitting regular workout classes into my routine, eating mostly homecooked, healthy meals, and using the Headspace meditation app were a big part of my pre-kids life, and are things I’m trying to prioritize for this era as well. Getting adequate sleep is tough with a newborn who still takes a middle of the night feed, but we are prioritizing staying rested as much as possible by taking shifts every other night. 
• Modeling Joy and Fulfillment. I want my kid to see me reading a book rather than scrolling my phone, spending time with friends, making time for hobbies that light me up, and celebrating professional achievements. Growing older is a privilege that I want my kid to look forward to.
• Investing in Community. A few weeks ago, neighbors texted us that they were dropping off a fresh loaf of sourdough, which turned into an impromptu coffee hang in our dining room. Rather than worry about my unbrushed hair or the fact that I was still in PJs with no bra on, we embraced the chaos and instead focused on the joy of community. More of this! More making plans and reaching out and saying yes, even if it’s easier and more convenient to keep to ourselves.
• Keeping Things Simple. There is no need to make things more complicated than they need to be. We are letting go of parenting guilt and embracing solutions that make parenthood easier. For us, that means sleep training, formula feeding, and daycare. For others, that might mean taking a career pause, hiring a housekeeper, or getting groceries or meals delivered. When basic necessities are taken care of, it means we can spend less energy on logistics and more energy being present and making memories with our little one. 

There is no need to be a martyr — Your needs (and wants!) are important too. In case no one has told you, you are doing great!