Self-compassion is hard for some people to embrace because it sounds self-indulgent. This is a misnomer because practicing self-compassion actually gives us an incentive to try, not because we want to be the best but simply because we care about ourselves. Interestingly, most people find it is easier to care for others then to be kind to themselves.
Motherhood, Connecting and Speaking Up
Mothers have a hard time taking care of themselves because they are so busy taking care of everyone else. People talk about the beauty of motherhood, but not about how hard it can be. This is because we live with the myth that motherhood is all sunshine and roses. Despite what we see in the media, being a mom is not always wonderful. It can be hard and messy and unpredictable. The way to cope with the reality of motherhood is to acknowledge our true feelings and to put our own needs into the equation. Read more of an interview I did with Valerie Young of Your Woman in Washington.
It’s Okay if You Don’t Breastfeed
As a mom who meets lots of new moms, I have noticed something lately. In my conversations with new mothers who breastfeed, there is an almost universal belief that breast milk is akin to the nectar of the gods. I hear words like “lazy” and “selfish” to describe mothers who choose to bottle-feed. Not surprisingly, women who choose to bottle-feed tell me that they feel judged, guilty, and not supported. Is breast milk better for babies? Maybe. But is bottle- feeding such a sin?
Go Easy on Yourself, a New Wave of Research Urges
This is an older post about self-compassion that is still very relevant. Many of still believe we need to “push through the pain” in order to succeed but the opposite has been proven to be true.
