Apr
Articles, Personal Growth
Why Mums Need To Put Their Oxygen Mask On First
We’ve probably all heard the flight attendant speech many times. You know, the speech that tells us to put our oxygen mask on first, before our child/ren?
The reason for this is that if you try and help someone else get their mask on before you put yours on, there is a possibility that you could both pass out from lack of oxygen. If, however, you first put your mask on yourself, you are then able to focus on helping others who may need your help.
This is such an important message and metaphor for women when it comes to parenting.
As mums, though we know we should care for ourselves first, often we don’t.
It feels counter-intuitive, selfish, wrong. But we need to stop thinking like this – because if we don’t make the time to look after ourselves, and put our oxygen mask on first, how can we expect ourselves to help our kids and loved ones?
If we take the time to nourish ourselves before anything else, thereby having more energy and love to give.
But if we consistently put our children and others first, eventually we feel depleted, exhausted, starving on multiple levels, until we have nothing left to give.
Whether you work outside the home, run your own business, or you’re the primary caregiver, you MUST put your oxygen mask on first.
Our oxygen masks are our energy, time, and resources.
If we put our own oxygen mask on first, we then have the ability to use our reserves to help other people.
If we take care of ourselves by making sure we are doing things to make sure that we have enough energy by eating, sleeping, and exercising, we will have enough energy left over to give to other people.
If we take care of ourselves by crafting the time in our days in such a way that we are not over-scheduled, we will have pockets of time available for other people.
If we take care to only decide to say ‘yes’ to the things we really want to and can safely fit into our lives, we are using our resources wisely and we will have enough to spare for others.
If you try and take care of others’ needs before your own, you may find that you don’t have enough in your ‘bank’ to give to others. You may deplete your tank by tending to others’ needs first before your own, and then in the end you are no good to either yourself or the other person.
Self-care is about taking care of yourself first. It does not mean that you do not care about others; quite the contrary. By making an effort to take care of yourself first, you are ensuring that you can care for others.
Make time to schedule YOURSELF into your busy life.
We all have plenty of excuses for why we can’t, or don’t have time, but think about what you REALLY WANT for your family.
What kind of example do you want to set for your kids? What do you want to teach them about self-care?
What are they currently learning from you about self-care, and are you comfortable with that? Is there anything you’d like to change?
Your assignment this week: Try to think of ONE THING you can do right now to take better care of yourself, and go do it. Take the oxygen mask…and breathe.
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Mums do you agree?
Comment below to share your thoughts with your mumbox community x
I agree with this article. I’m only practicing self love now at 45. I love my daughter and always put her first but recently I’m not shy to say when I need self love.
True hey 👋
These no me on my to do list.
I have so many things to do and I’m so exhausted at night.
Self care is important and as a mom I’ve been lacking in the self care department. Something I really need to take seriously.
So true! 👌🏻
Thank you l love this
Thank you for this. I feel as if this was posted specifically for me 😂🫣.
Thank you for this article. I agree that as mom’s and women tend to let self-care be the last item on their lists sadly I’m guilty here too. I definitely need too start practicing this.
I am so glad you have posted an article about this because it’s something I tell woman all the time! I have learnt the hard way, that taking care of myself first makes me a 10-times better mom to my kids and just an even better person in general. I always pour from my own cup…so when I learnt to ”put on my mask first” it changed the game for me completely!
Thank you for this beautiful article hygiene is very important in our daily life’s as humans.
Thank you for the great article I feel like these article is talking to me selfcare is very important ❤️