This week, I spoke to a mom who said she is an introvert, but that she volunteers for all her kids’ activities because it makes them happy.
*Screech* Back up. What?
While this conversation doesn’t imply a complete immersion into her children’s lives, it did remind me of many conversations I’ve had with other women who struggle with self-care
Who you are, the roles you play, and your identity are and should be completely separate from your children. You were a whole person before your children, you’re a whole person now, and you’ll be without them (bring on the tears) faster than you think. You’ll need to be a whole person in the future.
Don’t Be Your Child’s Everything
Far too many women feel horrible distress because their sweet babies (who have long since been “babies”) are graduating high school and moving out or away to college. Moms just honestly don’t know what to do with themselves! They spent years immersed in the throes of parenting, dedicating their lives to those of their precious children, all to watch their little nuggets flee the nest, begin their own lives, and leave Mom and Dad in the dust, wondering how to drum up a life that feels even semi-purposeful now.
Your life has purpose outside of your kids.
And honestly, the more you live your life, and let your kids live theirs, the happier and more content you’re both going to be.
Perhaps this is the discussion helicopter and semi-helicopter parents need to have. For a time, you are your child’s everything, but they don’t have to be your everything. And, at a certain point, you stop becoming their everything, and you’ll be more equipped emotionally and physically to handle that distance when you’ve got a side gig of your own.
Building a Life That’s Yours
Here are just a few easy things I suggest that can help you build a life that’s solidly yours and yours alone, in which you aren’t dedicated to your child’s every movement:
Have regular visits with friends.
You’re going to need them one day because your kids will be long gone, either physically or emotionally, into their own world of friends. And they should be, that’s healthy for them. Friends help fill you up in a way spouses and kids never will.
Schedule dates.
Go out with your partner! These are tough times, when children are small, because getting away from them can be emotionally or physically challenging. This can feel painful at first, especially when they’re smaller, but do it anyway. This essential marriage activity will help you continue to keep a stable, growing relationship with your main squeeze.
Get a job.
Hear me out. Getting a job, whether full time or part time for a few hours, can be incredibly rewarding. It lets you be with adults and gives you the opportunity to have adult conversations and solve adult problems. Don’t think career advancement or financial freedom here. Think, “What can I do to contribute to the lives of others in bigger, more meaningful ways?” Yes, you are contributing to your kids. But let’s face it, that job can be thankless and soul-sucking. Having a job elsewhere can help you feel human again, and it can be incredibly rewarding.
Volunteer.
Just like having a paying job, getting out amongst the adults can be helpful to your psyche. Your children love you, you love them, but they’re not going to know the depths of your contribution the way a volunteer organization would. Plus, you’ll meet new friends there which can help you with #1 above.
Moms, listen up. Your children do not create your sole life purpose, because that particular purpose has an expiration date. Your purpose is what moves you further in the world as an amazing human being. Does this mean you can’t be an amazing human being while being immersed in kid things? Nooo. Of course not. Be hands on. Do lovely activities with them. Make memories together. But do not, and I repeat, do not, allow them to be the center of your universe. That will backfire worse than Tow Mater on his way into Radiator Springs!
