I schedule my kids’ dental appointments, yearly check-ups and eye exams. I make sure every single one of them is checked from the top of their head to the tips of their toes. I shuttle them to each appointment, asking the appropriate questions and checking all of the boxes because I am a mama. I am their health advocate.
But, at the very bottom of my checklist, after their needs, after the grocery list, after the to-do list, and house projects and school assignments… somewhere down at the very, very bottom.. is my health. Whoops.
I didn’t mean to let my health and well-being get to this point.
I started trying to remember the last time I went to an OBGYN appointment. Could it really have been back in 2018 after that last baby? Really? What about the dentist? Yikes. Eye doctor? That’s a good one… I am fairly certain there is a reason why I hate driving at night. How did this happen? How do I get back on track? Why is this so important to my health?
The kids, the husband, house, and other responsibilities take center stage. I got out my notepad and planner, you know the ones that hold all of the kids’ appointments, and decided it was time to put in a little time for myself. I made a list and worked all the way down. The first step was done – I had made the appointments! Woo hoo! Now, leaving the kids behind is where the mom guilt kicks in.
I don’t like pushing off my kids onto other people. They are my responsibility, and asking others to watch them (needing help from others) makes me feel weak and needy.
Newsflash moms: you are not weak and needy.
You are a strong advocate for yourself and your health, and asking for help from others so that you can take care of yourself is a part of the game. Whether it’s a family friend, daycare or grandparent who needs to watch them, please do this. Please take an hour for yourself to get this done. Your kids need you for the long haul and an afternoon without you will not be such an inconvenience.
Is one dentist appointment going to change your life? Is that one slightly uncomfortable check-up at the OBGYN really going to make a difference? Mamas, it really could. Early detection of anything is going to help you in the long run! Spoiler alert, I went to the dentist and I now have a plan to get on the right path. Yes, I do need to have some work done. But do you know how long I put it off because I imagined the worst and I didn’t want to inconvenience people? I feel a million times better because I put my health on the to-do list.
Remember mamas: WE. ARE. IMPORTANT. TOO. And so is our health.
