The One Thing All Mothers Should Do.

Be Kind To Yourself!

We are often our own worst critics. Love yourself without all of the negative distractions in your head. Be proud of your body and free yourself from your inner critic. Don't let your fears hold you back!

"You are all together beautiful, my darling, There is no flaw in you."

-Songs of Songs 4:7

This particular topic has been on my heart a lot lately because I have met many women that struggle with body shaming. Why do we do it? Postpartum weight gain, too tiny, too thick, depression, and anxiety from the pressure of not looking good enough are just some of the things that consume us. Most of us struggle with these insecurities on a daily basis. I know I do! We tend to compare ourselves with what we see on social media, to Instagram Models, and even to professional photo shoots in glamour magazines. But the truth is, most of it is NOT even real! Those images have been edited, posed, styled, critiqued, and after hours and weeks of planning they are finally published for the public to view. Setting our standards on what we think society has deemed as beautiful is a recipe for endless disappointments. Instead, focus on your inner beauty and love your amazing, unique self.

To be honest, I don't see your flaws, and guess what...neither do your children! It's not until we start pointing out our flaws, that we realize it's really all in our own thinking. Our own thinking destroys and masks how we see ourselves. If we don't change, we will never see how beautiful we truly are. Don’t allow negative thinking to control your choices. If my mother was too afraid to be captured in pictures due to her own negative insecurities, I wouldn't have any memories of her. She passed away when I was 18 months old. I was simply too young to remember her, but I was fortunate that my grandfather was a professional photographer and captured pictures of her holding us. I have heard countless excuses from mothers asking not to be in pictures with their kids. It truly makes me sad, but I don't always tell them about my experience. I do remind them though, that we are not made perfect, but in our children's eyes we are beautiful and perfectly loved. That's all that counts!

Our kids need to see us for their own memories. Your children will see that spark of joy in your eyes and remember the comfort and love that they felt when you held them in your arms. No more days of being unseen! You are important. Your children won't love you more because you lost weight or whatever excuse and insecurities we hold over ourselves. All our kids see is a perfect, genuinely authentic mom that loves, cares, and teaches them to be loving, brave, and kind.

So, free yourself from your insecurities, fears, and negative thoughts. Start being proud of yourself. Don't waist your time sitting in your fears. Instead, take the time to Be Kind To Yourself. You are loved and more beautiful that you know!

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”

1 Peter 3:3-4

Below is a picture of my mother Elena Maria. She passed away a few months after this picture was taken. All I see is a beautiful woman that loved me, and that's all that really matters. This picture is worth more to me than anything that I own!

I have also added a few fearless mamas below along with my own grandparents and their growing babies.