It is no secret, Motherhood is one testing journey, with plenty of beautiful moments along with those moments where you question your sanity.
With each stage of the children’s growth, there is a new challenge. As a mother, Disabled or not, we want the same thing for our children – and that is that they are healthy, happy and feel safe. All the practical everyday routines et cetera aside, that is what really matters, isn’t it?
But it is not that simple.
We tend to get caught up in the word “enough”.
- Are we enough?
- Have the children laughed enough?
- Have they done enough exercise?
- Have they eaten enough?
- Have they read enough?
- Have they been shown enough love?
- Did I do enough today?
Let me tell you, whatever it is you are worried about, they are none the wiser.
Here are 3 Motherhood tips you didn’t know you needed:
Be kind to yourself
A relaxed mum is the best mum. You do not have to do it all today, sometimes taking a break is a priority.
Go at your own pace
With a never-ending to-do list, it can be easy to get overwhelmed, especially as a Visually Impaired mother. We need more time, and that is okay.
Do what you know is best
Only you know what works for you and your family. Comparison is the thief of joy. If you are happily functioning as you are, then keep going. You’re on the right track, for YOU.
I have found these three tips very helpful for myself. The journey of learning to be kind to myself, take a break when I need one and trust my judgement has been a tough one, but the best growth happened once I figured out how to put these into practice.
Yes, being Blind has its own challenges. Yes, I sometimes have to parent differently. Yes, this may include missing out on certain activities.
BUT, at the end of the day, I am doing my best and giving it my all. That is enough.
So, this Mother’s Day, I encourage you to celebrate your very existence, and if you know a Visually Impaired Mum, show her some love. Let her feel appreciated, as even though she might not say it, it is an everyday battle of overcoming, a day at a time.
Overcoming ableist societal stumbling blocks.
Overcoming her own sense of being enough.
Overcoming the laundry, homework, workday and so on.
Let her know that she is a winner.
Message from Sylvia, a Visually Impaired mother of two.
