Mommmmmm, what are you thinking?

"Mommmmmm, what are you thinking?" This is a question usually asked by our children, but maybe we should ask it of ourselves.

Throughout our pre-children lives, we have always made sure we have taken care of our needs and helped ourselves to progress through life. Growing up, we spent time with friends, participated in programs that we usually enjoyed, and focused upon our future with school work. After completing school, we looked to the future of careers, life, and finding the right partner. Our decisions were made with the future in mind – what would we do, where would we live, and who would we spend our time with? These decisions were made with “Me” in mind. We did not generally choose our partners, jobs, or homes on what was best for them. We made our decisions based upon what was best for “Me” and this makes sense. We were not considered selfish because everyone did the same.

And then we became Moms… and society lead us to believe that we should feel guilt or selfishness for anything we did for ourselves. Our children are wonderful and amazing creatures, but giving ourselves up to care for them does not help them. A Mom that gives up her writing, hobbies, and dreams to become a Mom is not the best Mom.

We set examples for our children. What do we teach them when we encourage them to dream, learn, and grow as children yet show that we gave up all our dreams when we became a Mom? In order to be the best mother to my children, I also have to be the best Me. When I am motivated, energized, setting goals, following my dreams, and writing, I am a happier person, and my family is also a lot happier. If I am overwhelmed and frustrated, my family reacts accordingly.

"Mommmmmm, what are you thinking? Shouldn’t you be taking care of yourself so you are the best Mom around?"

Next Issue... Top 10 Ways Mom Writers can Take Care of Themselves.

Over the past few years, best selling author Tracy Lyn Moland, B. Ed. has established herself as a highly sought after and internationally recognized life management and marketing expert.

You may recognize Tracy Lyn’s ideas and advice from magazines like Reader’s Digest, Chatelaine or Women’s Day as well as her series on Good Morning Canada and appearance on Living it Up! With Ali and Jack. She has been featured in over 500 media outlets and presented in 3 countries.

Her expertise has lead to her work as a spokesperson for Johnsonville Sausages, Crayola, TJ Maxx, and Whirlpool appliances. Tracy Lyn’s books Mom Management and Quotes of Inspiration have provided much needed advice and sanity in our crazy world.