How to Self-Care when you have 2 Under 2
My baby is teething, so I haven’t showered in 3 days… so I’m not an expert. But let’s dive into what I do know!
Life with 2 under 2 is BUSY
Between nursing/feeding baby, getting snacks for toddler, laundry, dishes, tidy the house, make supper, play with the kids… How do you find time to shower, wear makeup, or do any of those little things that help you feel human?
It’s hard, at first
Take baby steps. When you first have 2 under 2, even just remembering to eat lunch some days can be a task!
I think I lived in pajama pants most of the time, and taking the time to put my contacts in instead of just wearing my glasses? That was a big day.
You are important too
I’ve probably said it 100 times before, but life with 2 under 2 is spent in survival mode at first. It gets easier, promise!
Taking deliberate thought and action helps. Acknowledge that your needs are important, and prioritize them.
How to squeeze a shower into the day
Showering when you have 2 under 2 is kind of a circus. There are a few ways you can manage it though!
- Shower first thing after breakfast: Little kids and babies are happiest first thing in the morning- Eat a quick breakfast with your toddler, feed the baby, and then shower while they’re happy!
*always contain your children somewhere safe during a shower* ie: baby playing happily in the crib within earshot or listening to them on a baby monitor, toddler playing with toys in the same bathroom while you shower.
- Shower during morning nap: when baby goes down for his morning nap, lay him down in his crib, occupy the toddler with a fascinating toy in the bathroom, and you get to shower!
- Shower while your spouse occupies the kids.
- You could also squeeze in a shower before the babies wake up or after they go to sleep.
Take time to yourself when you can
Lay aside the mom-guilt and start taking up your family members on their offers to babysit! Or find a reliable sitter that you trust.
Even if you just take a few hours to do something you love, do it! It feels so good.
I think I was just 5-6 weeks postpartum when I left the kids with my mom to go ride my horse, and it felt amazing to do something just for me. I was so energized!
It’s not selfish
A happy mom helps make a happy family. If you take a few hours to prioritize yourself, you’re recharging and creating energy to be your best self for your family later.
Whether you get a sitter to go out to lunch with a friend, or go out and get a pedicure. Taking the time to remind yourself that you are a person outside of motherhood is important.
Self-care looks different for everyone
I think drinking my coffee while it’s still hot is self care. Going to lunch with a friend is a vacation. Texting a friend to just chat and bask in her understanding and camaraderie is food to my mama-heart.
It will look different for each person depending on your own personal needs. But acknowledging your needs and meeting them is what’s important.
Don’t be so busy taking care of everyone else that you run yourself into the ground
Prevention is the cure, as they say. Take care of yourself BEFORE mommy-burnout hits.
I get the most horrible “I want to crawl out of my skin” feeling when I’m feeling burnt out. And it is awful. Don’t let it get to that point!
Take care of yourself, love yourself, prioritize your needs.
