Tending Your Heart as a Mom

If you are a mom, you know the reality of self-sacrifice. Our children’s needs often come first. We feed them first, get them dressed first, put them to sleep first - the list goes on. 

I find we often put our children’s emotional health first too, especially when we are parenting someone who is struggling. We kick into high gear trying to help them improve and function better. That is normal and part of our job, I think. But as a result, our needs go on the back burner.

Today I want to encourage you to start spending more time tending to your own emotional and spiritual health too. Believe it or not, this is one huge way we help our children who struggle with anxiety.  Our anxious children benefit so much when we teach them to slow down, regulate their emotions, and take their honest fears to the Lord. But it is honestly harder to teach our children to do this when we are dysregulated, unaware of our emotions, and forgetful of God’s care for us. 

So fellow momma, if you are trying to help your anxious children function better, slow down and consider how you can function better too. I promise it will help them a lot. If you do not know where to start, here are some suggestions: 

Start a Journal 

Writing in a journal is a great way to start paying attention to your emotions and what is going on in your mind.  Do not overthink this so much that you do not try it! You do not need to have a cute journal, and you do not need to write out pages of thoughts every day. If you do, great! But it is also beneficial to pull out a scrap piece of paper when you have a moment and write down 3-4 sentences about what you feel. 

Pray Honestly  

As you take time to notice your emotions, it will help you pray more honestly to God. Honest prayer helps us receive comfort from a good God who already knows all of our thoughts and fears. Over time, this practice can lead to greater peace and a deeper trust in God's care and guidance. 

Learn About Regulation 

As you pay attention to your emotions, it becomes easier to learn how to regulate them and help your children do the same. Emotional regulation is the ability to manage our feelings and responses in healthy ways, even when life feels stressful.

Emotional dysregulation is closely connected to anxiety.  When we are dysregulated, we may feel overwhelmed or struggle to be calm when we are afraid. Our emotions can feel bigger than our ability to manage them. As moms, learning to regulate our own emotions is not just beneficial for us; it also helps our children.  When we are calm and grounded, we are better able to help them find calm too. If you want to know more about how to do this, reach out to me! I am happy to help you learn more. 

I hope this brief note encourages you to take time to care for your own emotions and spiritual well-being. This week, take one small step toward caring for your own heart. God cares deeply for your child, and He cares deeply for you, too.

About Me: I help Christian moms of anxious kids learn practical ways to support their children, build resilience, and grow in trust in Jesus. If you'd like personalized support, I'd love to connect. Email me at layla@equippedcoaching.com to schedule a free coaching call.