Confidence Builders for Mums

Long gone are the days where we had 2 hours to shower, blow dry hair, exfoliate, moisturise and do a full face of make-up. And that’s before trying on 6 different outfits to feel ah-mazing! You’re too busy playing with play doh and carting the kids off to the next activity. The pep in your step is replaced with a shuffle around the kids and the racing on to get the next chore done. With all those sleepless nights and giving your all for your kids it hasn’t left much for you.

What happened to your confidence? 

Was it ever really there? Did it slowly fade away over time? Is it just napping?

It is hard when there are so many things knocking the wind out of our sails every day - no time for self care, exhaustion, judgement from people around us, the barrage of images on social media, the constant pressure to be the perfect mum, oh the list goes on and I could have a mild anxiety attack just writing about it!

And you are not alone. We’re all there.

Well it’s time to get a hold of it now. Now is as good a time as any. And your confidence is not just about you anymore. We have to practice what we preach. How will our children learn about confidence if we can’t live it ourselves - children learn more through experience than talking. (Except when I swear and Miss 3.5 repeats it. I’ll give her credit though, because she does use it in context!)

confidence definition: a feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities

Small things make a big difference

’She’s brimming with confidence’ is how the web dictionary described the definition above. Let’s take a moment to think about this.

We asked a bunch of mums what boosts their confidence and here were some of the surprising answers:

• Sometimes it’s as easy as just washing and blow drying my hair
• I go and get my nails done. I feel put together if my nails are done
• I don’t have time to wear make up all the time so I make sure I take care of my skin so I don’t feel like shrek when I go to the shops
• I put on a dress. It’s simple but I always feel a little more special in a dress
• When I don’t have a lot of time to do my make up I just go with my red lipstick and it always makes me feel more glam
• This is crazy but I make my husband give me compliments - reminds him of how awesome too!
• Go shopping!
• I’ll put on the most expensive thing I own
• I realised that no one was thinking about how my mum tum. I was the only one obsessing about it so I don’t give i much thought anymore and just wear what makes me feel good
• I’ll wear something bright coloured
• I ignore my trackies and put on my good jeans that my butt looks good in!
• Dance to Beyoncé or Lizzo - my daughter introduced me to her!
• I’ll go for a run or do some exercise just to clear my head

Next time you’re drinking your cold coffee take a moment to think about the things that make you feel confident and the small changes in your day you could implement. It’s a journey but your kids will thank you later.