Yesterday I attended the Hearts at Home National Conference in Bloomington, IL, with some girlfriends. This conference is a day especially for moms to spend time laughing and learning with other moms, sharing stories and trials of being a mom, gaining new perspective and insight into the challenges and wonders of motherhood. Mothers of all ages were in attendance, ranging from those who were newly expecting their first child to mothers of TWELVE children!
We started our day with a group session for which the keynote speaker was
Jennifer Rothschild. Her testimony was beautiful and uplifting.
Following the group session, these 4000 women each went our separate ways to attend different workshops. One of the workshops I attended was called
First Time Moms: Moving from Surviving to Thriving. The speaker was
Jill Savage, who is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home. She gave some excellent pointers for first-time moms that I think also apply to moms in all seasons of life:
1. Lower your expectations.
If you plan to get 4 loads of laundry done and only end up finishing 1, don't sweat it! Set small, achievable goals for yourself.
2. Allow more time for everything.
No explanation necessary. We all know every little task requires more time when you have a little one to care for.
3. Enjoy this never-to-be-returned-to-you season.
Yes, you may be stressed because your baby never stops crying, or doesn't sleep well at night, but don't wish that time away, because all-too-soon your baby will be a teenager.
4. Capture your memories.
You may think you'll always remember that funny thing he/she said, but you won't...write it down!
5. Consider motherhood a valid profession.
This is your JOB, and everything you do has a purpose. Keeping this in mind will help you mother more intentionally.
6. Trust yourself.
You know what's right for your baby and for yourself. Take other people's advice with a grain of salt.
7. Take care of yourself.
Naps are in your job description! Everyone is much happier when Momma is well-rested and healthy!
8. Cut yourself some slack.
You are not perfect, and you will make mistakes.
9. Get out once a week WITHOUT your child/children.
When she first said get out once a week, I thought, "I've already got that covered!" until she said trips to the grocery store with your children DON'T count...darn!
10. Find a moms group.
I really need to make this a goal.
11. Stop the comparisons.
You do not have to parent like other moms, and your child will develop at his/her own pace. Comparison breeds discontentment.12. Keep your marriage first.
You are a wife FIRST and a mom SECOND.
13. Ask for & accept help.
There is nothing wrong with asking someone for help!
14. Be the parent.
Establish authority.
15. Connect your real mom experiences with the real Jesus.
One of the comparisons Jill made that really drove this point home for me was that Jesus was constantly being TOUCHED. The Bible says that the crowds PRESSED INTO HIM, which is exactly what our children do! It is important to be in constant prayer as a mother, and to remember that Jesus knows what we're going through.I walked away from this conference yesterday feeling incredibly refreshed and rejuvenated, and excited to take what I learned and put it into practice!
Next post: 10 Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs!
Have a wonderful day, all!
