5 Healthy Habits for Moms of Young Kids

Do as I say, Not as I do...

First of all as I'm writing this I'm wondering how much longer I can say I am a mom of "young" kids. My eldest child, my daughter, just turned 8, and my youngest, my son, will be 6 this month! As much as I have looked forward to them being older, and therefore more independent, the thought of them not being "young kids" anymore honestly has me in my feels. Anyway, I digress. As a mom of somewhat young kids, I am still very much in the throws of being somewhat lost in Motherhood. As such, I find it helpful to sometimes pretend like I am going to start putting myself first, and thought I would share what that might look like with those of you in the same boat. To be perfectly honest, I probably won't (don't, can't, etc) do any of these "healthy habits", at least not for any extended period of time, but I would really like to....at least more.

1. stop treating routine bodily care a self care

Why on Earth I started feeling like taking a shower was indulgent I will never understand but it is a habit I developed when my daughter was born and I have had a very hard time kicking it. Let's all just agree to get in the habit of routinely cleaning our hair and bodies, and not feeling guilty about the time it takes, mmmmk?? Great.

2. Make plans with girlfriends monthly

We are all holding on for dear life in this rollercoaster ride of Motherhood, making time for our children, our spouses and or jobs if we have them. But are we making time for our girlfriends? Probably not, and definitely not enough. I currently have a text from a dear friend, who I really want to see, on unread, probably 15-20 texts down in my messages. It says something like, "I'll come to you, just name the time!" I really want to see her, but I have gotten in a really bad habit of not prioritizing these relationships, taking them for granted that they will be there when I come up for air. And they will, that is what girlfriends are for, afterall, but I want to see mine more, and here is me putting that in the universe for all of us, because that QT with your BFFs is just plain good for the soul.

3. Stock up on easy, healthy snacks

Anybody else surviving on coffee until lunch and then gorging on chips and salsa while standing over the kitchen sink scrolling Instagram at 1PM? I know it's not just me. Instead of running around all morning and then grabbing an unhealthy slice of pizza in the Whole Foods check out line, try stocking up on healthy snacks you can easily grab and take with you on the go. Single serve packs of pistachios,Perfect Bars, and Skinny Dipped Almonds are some of my go-tos.

4. Make time for exercise

Come on, you knew I was going to mention this. And I am really, REALLY bad at making time for exercise. It always goes to the bottom of my to do list. I find that the easiest ways for me to make time, when I do, are to actually schedule them into my calendar, keep them short, and limit sweaty ones to days when I know I'l have time to wash my hair. I've been really into Pilates on the mirror recently, and while winter rages on in Maine I get my sweaty workouts in on the Peloton. I've never done anything longer than 30 minutes and usually cut out around the 20 minute mark, but I find that when I am consistently doing my workouts, I feel better.

5. Indulge in self care and take your vitamins

I am not afraid to admit that I get Botox (actually Dysport but whatever) every few months, color my grays, and use any and every serum and vitamin I can to keep myself looking youthful. Botox was the best thing I have done for my self confidence probably ever, but we all have our own things. I basically am just saying, get in the habit of doing things that make you feel good about yourself. We as moms give so much of ourselves to our children, but it's necessary that we take care of ourselves too...as often as we can! Check out some of my favorite vitamins, supplements and serums below. If you have any other habits we should all be indulging in, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @surfroad.me ... no gate keeping!