While various parenting resources are available for new mothers, filtering out relevant information from the trivial ones can be tricky. Here are seven valuable tips to help you efficiently navigate motherhood’s challenging yet beautiful early stages.
Reader's Roadmap
Be gentle to yourself
While being a mother can be fulfilling, it is often a woman’s most challenging life role. Give yourself grace to grow and learn. Embrace new challenges, but avoid criticizing yourself whenever things don’t go as planned.
Pace yourself
Many new mothers assume they must be busy all day, causing them to multitask unnecessarily. Contrary to popular opinion, multitasking is sometimes inefficient and doesn’t always guarantee quality results. As a new mother, doing less can help you become more grounded and present for your child. Motherhood is not a race, so refrain from needlessly pushing yourself beyond your limits, and remember to take each day as it comes.
Set realistic expectations
Motherhood is challenging as it is, and setting senseless expectations can make it more difficult. Parenthood is a lifelong learning journey with unexpected detours, so be realistic with your goals as a mother and as a woman. Acknowledge that this is unchartered territory and pushing yourself to move forward, especially during tough times, is more important than ticking off goals on your motherhood checklist.
Create an efficient system
Caring for a newborn requires an efficient system that can help make things more manageable. Develop strategies that can lessen the unpredictability of the newborn stage so that you can focus on other essential tasks. For instance, instead of going to the supermarket for a diaper run, you can sign up for a diapers and wipes subscription, allowing you to save money and ensuring you always have a steady diaper supply at home.
Avoid comparing
Comparison is undoubtedly the root cause of unhappiness, especially for new mothers. Comparing yourself to other mothers can make your motherhood journey more challenging than necessary and drive you to doubt yourself constantly. Instead of placing other mothers on the pedestal, be confident in your abilities and remind yourself that you’re the best mother for your child.
Prioritize self-care
Self-care is vital for all mothers, so taking time for yourself should be one of your non-negotiables. Dedicate a few hours or a day to your wants and needs, no matter how busy you are. Whether it’s exploring new hobbies, reconnecting with long-time friends, engaging in exercise, or reading your favorite book, make sure to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
Filter advice
Advice, solicited or otherwise, is limitless for new mothers. While it is normal for well-meaning loved ones to offer valuable advice, you must learn to filter them and only take what is relevant and suitable to your situation. Listening to others’ opinions can help you see various perspectives that might be useful in the future. Always follow your maternal instinct and do what’s best for you and your little one.
Endnote
Taking care of a newborn can be challenging, especially for new mothers. Accept help whenever offered and cherish every moment, even the hardest ones.