A Letter Every Mom Needs to Read

2023-01-18T08:05:16+00:00

By irevealinglight

Dear Mom,Do you know you’re a mom and not a machine? You have the right to slow down and take a break. You are entitled to some good old ‘me time.’It’s okay for you to shut out the world and unwind. If you don’t take time out to relax, you will be forced to do so when nature demands it and then, it might be too late.For instance, your body might have been giving you signals that all is not well but you’ve done nothing about it, you are still grinding every day at the job or living a stressful life without going for the necessary checkup. To put it bluntly, “This is quite irrational and suicidal.”So, you’re not a machine. And even if you are one, machines do breakdown!Do you know you’re a mom and not a mind-reader? So, cut yourself some slack. Let people know that you’re not expected to know what they are thinking or feeling at any given time, especially your husband and children.Encourage them to fill you in and open up to you if they expect constructive feedback from you. When in doubt ask questions. Don’t beat yourself up if at times you can’t figure out their concerns or stresses, just do the best you can. You’re not a mind-reader!Do you know you’re a mom and not a mop stick? Even if you have good intentions, you can’t mop up the world’s problems.It’s okay to say “No” to things you cannot solve or do, without feeling guilty. Yes, offer a shoulder to cry on when necessary, help others and be there for them but when you can’t do something, say so and even say it with audacity!

Do you know you’re a mom and not a milk lady? Don’t allow yourself to be milked dry and left hung out to dry. Be there for your family members and loved ones but be there for you, too.Don’t allow anyone to squeeze the essence out of you. YOU are important, never forget that.Do you know you’re a mom and not a magician? If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt helpless when your kids expected you to make that problem or heartache go away.Let your children and teens know that you can’t always save the day, or make their problems disappear by waving a magic wand. Depending on their age, you can teach/guide them in solving issues. In the long run, they would appreciate and thank you.Do you know you’re a mom and not a mileage? Do you sometimes get this feeling that some people are judging you like a mileage? They tend to compare you with that mate of yours who seem to be climbing the success ladder very fast.Don’t allow yourself to be sucked into such myopic reasoning. You should not be in competition with anyone but yourself- push yourself based on your own capacity not others. You are in a race with yourself, so when it is needful, slow down and pick up speed again.You will still cover your distance, and finish well without burning out.Do you know you’re a mom and not a meddler? It’s quite unfortunate that you’ve been misread and your care, questions, love and concerns have come across as controlling and you have been wrongfully labelled by your pre-teens/teens. If only they could get a glimpse of your heart, they would not have been quick to pass judgment!

Yes, I admit, at times as moms, we tend to go a little overboard or become melodramatic. (But that’s what makes us moms!) At such times, you just need to soft-pedal a teeny-weeny bit but NEVER stop showing you CARE!Do you know you’re a mom and not mawkish? It is okay for you to cry-out when you feel overwhelmed by something or someone. It doesn’t mean you’re ‘an attention seeker’, a weakling or a slave to your emotions. It just means you have a heart and you are human, too!Don’t keep braving it when you know you need help; being a superwoman is not a badge of honour you MUST put on. Depression is real, don’t become a victim. If you’re already a victim, please speak to an emotional health therapist or a close friend.Let me stop here. There are still more things that shouldn’t define you and MORE that should definitely define you. Find out about the latter and embrace them wholeheartedly. Don’t live the life of another person; you’re not a copycat. Refuse to live your life through the lenses of anyone; you are special and unique. Celebrate yourself every day. Be there for others, but be there for YOU, too!I love you. All the best!Efe Lisa Ifezuo

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irevealinglight

Efe Lisa is an author, ghostwriter and a freelancer with COINSCRIBES (General Transcription, proofreading, content Online writing Service). She is also an Emotional Health counselor/manager. Her writings are based on faith, real life, family, relationships, and beyond the four walls of school. The aim is to Reveal, Encourage, Strengthen and Transform (R.E.S.T.) She is married with children.