Mothers work around the clock, 24/7 to ensure her children have all their needs and wants met. When that mother is a single mother, at times it seems she has to work twice as hard to give her children the best care. Mothers frequently become so absorbed in their children that they forget about themselves. That one time she remembers she should take time for herself and does, she feels guilty. Over the years I have learned that to be the best mother I can be to my children, sometimes it is necessary to break away from my role as a mother and simply be a woman. By no means am I encouraging women to neglect their children; but I am encouraging women to take care of themselves mentality, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am encouraging self-care. Just as it is necessary for me, it is also necessary for you. I strongly believe that for a mother to be the best mother she can be to her children, she first has to be the best woman she can be to herself—she cannot pour into her children from an empty cup.
So how do you find time to provide self-care when you’re a single mother? I get this question a lot and the answer will vary because each single mother circumstances are different. In my case, my parents are extremely active in my children’s lives; therefore, I have time to take trips, have a girls’ night out or can have a day at home to myself while the children are away for the weekend with their grandparents. Other times, my parents are not so readily available. It often occurs that in the middle of the week I need a 5-minute mental getaway just to decompress and regroup. In moments like these, this is when I take advantage of things like the car ride alone from work to their school. On this 30-minute car ride, I can ride in peace so that I can gather my thoughts, have expletive music blaring, or vent to one of my girlfriends. You don’t necessarily have to do these things, but the point that I am making is that you should take advantage of the little things by turning them into opportunities to cater to you; especially if it’ll be a while that you can do something major that will contribute to your self-care. Take time to think about what self-care means and is for you. Then put those things you come up with on your schedule. Your children are important. They will ALWAYS be priority number one. Just don’t forget that mama is a priority too.
Intuitive Intuition 