The arrival of a small child is always a great joy, but often the family, especially the mother, is unprepared for the many tasks and responsibilities that come with caring for the little one. The previously accustomed 'I' is replaced by 'we', and there is no longer a free minute, spontaneous outings, or unexpected programs, as impulsive actions are replaced by the sanctity of the schedule.

How can a mother still remain a full-fledged woman, an independent entity, a happy and balanced person, a loving partner, an exciting companion, and a sweet mother at the same time? It's not an easy task, but it's not impossible either!

Mom Time

For a baby's happiness, besides breast milk and home warmth, a happy and loving mother is needed, so if you take care of yourself, you are actually helping your child's healthy development. Think of this whenever you are pondering whether to start ironing or cleaning, instead, take a little rest! Believe me, experience tells me that work can wait, but the moments spent together or resting cannot be replaced later.

5 rules to follow to be well as a mother

1. Drink properly! An adult body needs a minimum of two to two and a half liters of fluid per day, depending on body weight and life situation, work. If you are still breastfeeding, you need even more. Preferably consume sugar-free, caffeine-free, and carbonated-free drinks, and if you drink coffee, count an additional three deciliters of fluid for each cup!

2. Eat regularly! No, spontaneously devoured chocolate bars, leftovers snatched from the edge of the plate, and evening binges to make up for missed meals all day do not count... Instead, make sure to consume tasty, full-fledged, and varied meals at least three times a day - even better if five times! Feel free to be relaxed and if someone visits you, feel free to ask for food as a gift! This way you save time, taste varied delicacies, and if you're lucky, some of the goodies will end up in the freezer.

3. Take care of both your physical and mental health! To maintain your mental health, you need regular sleep and frequent rest, as well as breaking the monotony of the baby period. To maintain your body's balance, it is essential to exercise regularly, pay attention to your vitamin and electrolyte balance, and always get enough rest. If possible, don't learn the hard way: sooner or later, every minute you save on yourself will have to be paid back threefold.

 

Pay attention to the signs! Whether your body or your child's behavior signals, take the symptoms seriously! If your child is almost glued to you, it's worth suspecting not only the sticker phase. You also need to examine whether you are emotionally available to them and whether the home atmosphere provides adequate security. If you have a headache, if your hair is falling out, if your skin becomes acne-prone, if the pounds are piling on, your body is talking to you. Pay attention to the signs, find the causes, take action in time!

Me Time

Just because you have a child doesn't mean you cease to exist as an independent entity. That's why, starting from the postpartum period, insist on me-time activities and, if necessary, gently 'force' the family to cooperate! (Forget about the home spa experience and similar activities, because if you retreat within the home, there's a high chance that despite all your efforts, they will find you and involve you, as they 'simply can't manage without you'.) When the baby is small and the daily routine is unpredictable, take a walk alone for thirty minutes three times a week, and later regularly schedule hairdresser appointments, manicures, cloud-watching, meeting friends, or anything else you feel you need.

Me time is not selfishness, self-care is not a sin, and time spent without you is not a curse for the family. It's important to learn to exist without your child and partner, just as it is for them to learn to survive without you. Believe me, if later, when the child(ren) are older, you want more space for yourself, you need to establish your boundaries early, which not only protects you but also sets a good example for the kids about sharing work and responsibilities.

Us Time

Did you know that in Hungary today, two out of every three marriages end in divorce? Couples often cite the difficulties of the period following the birth of children as one of the main catalysts for growing apart. While it's completely understandable that intimacy can decrease and shared time can shorten with one (or more) small children, it's still important to consciously make time for each other and for each other. 

If there's no available grandmother, helpful friend, or kind acquaintance to share the load, call a babysitter or simply take the baby with you on the date! You don't have to think of big things: a dinner on the terrace by candlelight, a board game night, or a cozy movie night are just as good as a steamy moment in the bedroom. The important thing is that, despite motherhood and fatherhood, you see and nurture the man and woman in each other who you were before becoming a family!