topic and share only the good stuff. Moth- erhood is full of unglamorous, unavoidable experiences that cross every divide we may possess. Consider this: If you ever feel a shred of jealousy looking at a snap of that picture-perfect family, every baby is a ticking time bomb—it only takes one little half-smile and a tiny grunt for a blown-out diaper up the back to retire a super cute outfit for good. And every toddler is one “this ketchup is too spicy” away from a tantrum. And our teen- agers all find their snark during puberty. So, log off of social media for a bit, spend some time with fellow messy-moms, live your life honestly, and just know that children don’t need perfection—they just need a mom who is present, loving, and you. 8 TIPS FOR BETTER WELLBEING Talk to yourself like you would a friend. You would never let a gal pal think poorly of herself. Be your own hype woman, focus on what you are doing right, and when you need it, give yourself a little grace. Unplug. Stop scrolling, and put your phone down for a little while. Constant scrolling can be a catalyst for a toxic comparison spiral. Tough Grass. Get a breath of fresh air outside, and move your body. Playing a simple game of tag with the family is a good mental re-set button. Become okay with just okay. Remind yourself not everything has to be done perfectly, sometimes it just has to get done. And if we are being real, sometimes it doesn’t even have to get done right now— so many “urgent” tasks can actually just wait til later. Find your people. Having a few friends to vent to, comiserate with, and laugh with is truly therapeautic. Even casual relationships with your kid’s friends moms can really be benefitial—they are in the same phase of life with you, afterall. Make time for you. A lavish spa day may or may not be realistic for you. But being mindful about hydrat- ing, getting sleep, and doing something small each day to feel like you seems like a reasonable task. Whether that means reading a book, slathering on a face mask, or eaint a latenight scoop of ice cream, something is better than nothing! Accept Help. No one needs to do life alone. If someone offers help, don’t feel guilty accepting it. Carpooling, baby sitting, meal prep, house cleaning, etc. can all free up your time and lighten your mental load. Seek Help. If you ever feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts, reach out to a loved one and look into chatting with a professional. Feeling like a bad mom shouldn’t be state of existence.
CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM | MAY 2026 19
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker