Did you know that humans are genetically programmed to have a socially active life? It is a crucial part of the effective development of our daily life. This allows us to connect with our own set of social priorities, feel empathy, and build lasting relationships. However, once we become parents, some aspects of our lives shift and are put on pause in the meantime. It can get overwhelming at the beginning of parenthood to achieve of balance of “filling up the cup” of those around us and those who need us while forgetting to fill our own cup too. Just as the phrase on the airplane safety protocol goes, “make sure to put on your oxygen mask first before proceeding to help those around you”. This strategy and phrase can come in handy while we live out our best lives as human beings and parents to the best kiddos out there!
Becoming a parent is one of the most important decisions a human being will make in their whole lifetime as it does come with a lot of joy and love, but also a lot of responsibility. We bring our precious angels into the world with the hopes of providing them a loving home and a successful future, and the best way to achieve just that is by making sure we are indulging in what makes us truly happy, what ignites our passions, and what we once loved doing before we became parents. All the passions and hobbies we still hold true to our hearts through parenthood can serve as a mental escape when we get a sense of being overwhelmed or need to fill our own cup. Be it working out, learning new skills, painting, photography, dancing, reading our favorite books, singing… the list can go on and on!
Our kiddos look up to us and mimic our actions and mannerisms. What they see and experience becomes the foundation for their unique lives. We become their role models and the source of their inspiration. As they become, for us, our hearts walking on this earth. Each moment where our kiddos catch a glimpse of our passion and inspirations is a moment where their worlds are expanded at the thought of the endless possibilities that are right at their fingertips. They begin to love what we love as well as begin to explore their own world to find their interests and passions. The best way to take care of someone else is by taking great care of oneself first.
Keep the goals you had prior to parenthood and allow your children to become your greatest adventure buddy to motivate you through each moment, obstacle, and triumph this journey of life and our goals have set forth for us. Our kids are proof that our dreams have no limit. If you need a break, take it… Don’t forget that in order to spread happiness and positivity and love we must first carry those qualities within ourselves and within our lives and within our passions and hobbies.