Waking up to the kids and all of the tasks that come with maintaining a safe and healthy environment can be mentally taxing. Sure, the amount of love it takes to perform activities that will bring joy to the immediate family is more satisfying than anything. But sometimes it feels like todo es demasiado, even if love is greater than that sentiment.
As a mother, I seldom take the time to think of myself. I’m not sure if this happens to the rest of you, but the mental health that matters to me the most is that of my children. It breaks my heart to ever think of them hurting, even when I, myself, am hurting the most.
The taboo around Latina mothers talking about their mental health needs to end. ¡Ya es suficiente!
Thankfully, I am blessed with friendships that act as a booster for the days “I just can’t even.”
Friendships should be a crucial part of any mother’s circle as their mental health benefits greatly from them.
After all, the importance of friendships in a mother’s mental health can be vital.
How? Well, let’s take a closer look at it below.
One of your best listening ears
For one, they are the listening ear you need throughout the day. Oftentimes, you are the listening ear — whether it’s for your kids, their teachers, your partner, or anyone else in the mix — you know that your voice sometimes goes on pause. However, a quick call to your friend can be all you need to turn your day around.
The extra hands you don’t have
Does it feel like you’re stretched out to think sometimes? Whether you have the help at home, sometimes it seems like you need just a couple more hands to make some of your days work. Maybe it’s the day of a birthday party or graduation event that has you feeling stressed because you want everything to go perfect or another moment that might require a bit more assistance. If that’s the case, you know you can call your BFF for some help. They’ll be there sharing laughs with you and your family, making it as memorable as anyone would hope. These types of moments also go to show you that you aren’t alone after all.
Their perspective can be helpful, too
Sometimes we get so involved in our lives that we forget to pay attention to small details about ourselves. That could mean we might ignore taking care of ourselves, such as neglecting our hair and nails or not making time to read the books we enjoy. If your friends know that you are missing out on activities you enjoy because you are not putting yourself first, they will let you know. A good friend will notice your lack of self-care and how this can adversely affect your life and those around you. If they mention it, you know not to take it as a criticism but as someone concerned for you and your mental health.
There is no denying that friendships keep our sanity intact more than we give them credit. Have you called yours lately?