What has Motherhood taught me

I remember waking up in my bed in the middle of the night with terrible leg cramps. Literally my whole calf and foot would seize up and cause me to wake up from a heavy slumber. The only solution would be to get up and walk on my leg until it stopped. I was about 7 months pregnant and so needed deep rest. This particular night my movement woke up the youngest child in the other room and she needed water and a diaper change. I would take my exhausted body into the other room and gently attend to my Autistic toddler. 

I have spent my whole adult life as a parent. I went straight from being a rebellious teenage nightmare child to a dedicated non stop Mommy machine. Those first 12 years of my adult life were full of diaper changes, breastfeeding and sleep deprivation. Looking back I wouldn’t trade them for the world! What a precious time in my life. Time that I will never get back. Now my youngest son is 15 years old. What motherhood taught me is to really slow down and appreciate each moment. 

Here I am now 47 years old and about to become a Grandmother for the 2nd time. I so wish that I had those moments back. I frequently explore those times in my life in my dreams and really enjoy the feeling of co-sleeping with my little ones or breastfeeding an infant. I would not do things the same way if given a second chance at young motherhood. I would definitely take better care of my body and rest more frequently. 

Years of neglecting my body through giving and giving from an empty cup have taken a toll on my health. This past year I have had to look deeply at how I can nourish myself so that I can live the rest of my life in an energetic and enjoyable way. Through a mini health crisis my body spoke loudly to me about the need to pay attention and show up for myself in ways I have never done before. 

This year of 2023 has been a year of “Radical Self Love”. I am so grateful because I have learned so much about how to tend to this precious body and how to appreciate each day as a beautiful gift. I have connected so deeply to my breath, my thoughts, my heart in ways I never thought possible. I honestly don’t know anyone else currently who is so dedicated to self-care practices. 

I would love to support your journey towards greater levels of self-care and appreciation. Please reach out to me to share your story and don’t be afraid to ask for help! I remember thinking that I could do everything myself as a young mother of five, but I know now how deeply we need others to support us and encourage us towards self love……

Aloha,

Athena Rose