She finally did it. She stayed dry all night! Even though it happened over 26 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday! It was a triumph worth celebrating!
Motherhood is hard. It's filled with all kinds of goals that we work towards with our kids like weaning from the breast or the bottle, potty-training, learning their letters, writing their name, or tying their shoes. As they get older we work toward them completing their homework without help, or writing their first paragraph. As they move into the teen years, they get their learner's permit and eventually acquire their license. They learn to do laundry or write their first research paper.
Some of these triumphs are our kids' accomplishments and some are a blended accomplishment of parent and child. Many times the accomplishment is under-celebrated, particularly when it comes to acknowledging the effort the parent has contributed.
When we work hard toward a goal and the goal is achieved, it deserves a celebration!
(Tweet This!) As moms, we're pretty
good at celebrating our kids' accomplishments, but not always so good at celebrating our own. Sometimes we let one challenging season just blend into the next challenging season without stopping to celebrate the progress made.
When we love and celebrate our triumphs, we give ourselves a much needed reward or pat on the back for a job well done. (Tweet This!) It's unlikely that your three year old will say "Gee mom, great job potty-training me!" so you and I have to find ways to mark those moments with a celebration of some sort. You might ask a friend to meet you for coffee, suggest your hubby bring home carry-out for dinner, take a candlelight bath, or go treat yourself to a pedicure. If it's something you and your spouse have trudged through together, then a celebration date or dinner out just might be in order.
In some way, pause and take notice of your accomplishment. It's a love-your-life self-care strategy that will keep you plugging along the parenting journey for the long haul!
Joining you in the journey,
Jill Savage
Wife to Mark
Mom of Anne, Evan, Erica, Kolya, and Austin
Nana to Rilyn, Landon, and Marie