The Importance of Self-Compassion for Mothers

I recently sat down with Barbara Green, Ph.D., to discuss the importance of self-compassion for mothers. Dr. Green is a licensed psychologist who integrates traditional therapy with a well-rounded wellness model for optimal health and well-being. She co-founded the Center for Integrated Counseling and Wellness in Hingham, MA, and actively devotes her time and service to various mental health community initiatives in Boston’s south shore area.

RCG: Hi, Dr. Green! Thank you so much for being here. I look forward to hearing your insights as we discuss the importance of self-compassion for mothers. This topic is important to me. A self-compassion and self-nurturing mindset is something that I’ve tried to cultivate over time, especially during the 15 years that I was a single mom.

Looking back, I can remember being very hard on myself and thinking about everything I did wrong. It took me a long time to realize that my lack of self-compassion and self-care was at the root of many of my struggles.

Dr. Green: Self-compassion and self-care for mothers are essential. Women demonstrate compassion and care so naturally for their children. It’s so important that they also focus that level of care on themselves.

A Shift That Occurs When Becoming a Mother

RCG: It’s clear to see when we, as mothers, shift our focus so abruptly to our ‘s needs of our children. When I first became a mother, I remember it was as if there was a spotlight in my mind; the entire focus of that light shifted onto my newborn daughter. I know that’s probably very natural and normal, but the focus needs to go back into a more balanced alignment after a while.

It’s hard to put the experience of becoming a mother into words. Instantaneously, we change on all levels. In a moment, you go from being independent to being fully responsible for another human being, all while still learning about yourself.

I clearly remember feeling heart-bursting joy and overwhelmed all at the same time.

I was learning along the way and still am.

Emotionally, focusing on my daughter’s well-being was a natural and important shift. The idea of thinking of myself, my feelings, etc., wasn’t something, at that time, that seemed important.

It’s almost like I had to relearn how to practice self-care and self-compassion, not that I was great at it before! I had to gradually move that spotlight back onto myself while still keeping a light on my daughter. This is a continual process and doesn’t only apply to the newborn and toddler years. For me, it is a lifelong shift and process.

Importance of Establishing a Setpoint for Ourselves – A Baseline for Awareness

Dr. Green: The idea of self-compassion for mothers is foundational. Mothers need to be kinder to themselves. Talking about kindness to self, and learning to recognize when we’re losing our connection within, is what I call maintaining a “setpoint.”

A setpoint is where we remain aware and mindful of “how I am doing, how am I feeling?” Always taking your temperature, so to speak.

We do that so naturally with our children. We need to start doing that for ourselves. Because when we are grounded in self-awareness, we can open our awareness to our children.

If we become so singularly focused and have a myopic view of our children instead, we lose the big picture. I like to refer to the old airplane language, “place your mask on first, then assist those who need help around you.”

RCG: The idea of opening our awareness to our children resonates with me. It reminds me of that Oprah episode with Toni Morrison. As they discussed parenting, Toni Morrison asked, when a child enters the room, “Does your face light up?”

When I think of that image, I envision a mother who is aware and responding to her child. I think of how important that recognition must be for a child.

Selfishness Versus Self-Care: Breaking Down Stereotypes

RCG: In some circles, women focusing on self-care and self-compassion may still be perceived as threatening.

I’ve been in a room full of mothers before, and when one of the women mentioned going on a weekend yoga retreat, I could feel the judgment stirring in the room.

It’s like we know it’s important, yet our ingrained belief systems still support a more self-sacrificing role that a mother is expected to take on.

Dr. Green: We really need to cut the ties between thinking that it’s selfish to take care of ourselves.

Self-care is the opposite of selfishness— bottom line.

It’s not selfish. It’s restoring and refueling. Car engines do not run on empty.

More now than ever, women struggle to manage the expectations in the roles placed upon them. It’s like a Raggedy Ann doll bursting at the seams. We’re attempting to put 50 pounds of time and demand in a five-pound sack.

What Does Self-Compassion Look Like?

Dr. Green: I want to dispel the myth that it has to be a week-long retreat.

It’s about finding a moment and finding that heart space, headspace, mind space, and even physical space… in the context of 24/7 living. It’s about recognizing it, needing it, giving it value, and having the family understand its importance.

It also reinforces that everybody needs and deserves it.

I’m a big believer in baby steps. You can do a 5-minute meditation, and if you’re really using it, it will work. It will hit you at the moment, and you will bounce back again. It’s about refueling, restoring, renewing, and revitalizing.

Another example is breath. The power of breath is free, abundant, and always available.

RCG: Eckhart Tolle teaches the method of “one conscious breath.” He teaches that if you take one breath, and for the entirety of the inhale and exhale, you continue to keep your full attention on your breath; it’s like a mini-meditation that you can do any time.

Dr.Green: Yes, just taking an intentional deep breath, as often as you need, is a wonderful self-care tool.

Expert Recommendation: Taking Five!

I highly recommend Taking Five as you need to throughout the day. Walk out of your door. Breathe in the fresh air.

Try to incorporate meditation, breath work, exercise, nutrition, shutting down electronics, shutting down electronics, and shutting down electronics.

RCG: (Laughing!) Yes, that is so true!

Dr. Green: Also, I’m a big fan of the Fun Factor. My colleague calls it Vitamin C – for Connection. Women inherently like to affiliate and gather with friends and with the community. Making an effort to connect with friends and family is an integral part of self-care.

The Importance of Modeling Self-Compassion

RCG: It wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties that I began to see how growing up, my mom’s sense of self-care and self-compassion shaped many aspects of my sense of self and how, likewise, my sense of self-care and self-compassion impact my child.

Prioritizing a loving and accepting voice that says, “Please give yourself a break. You are a good person and a good mother. You are doing your best,” is a conscious choice I need to make.

It reminds me of what Susan Stiffelman says in Parenting with Presence, “You’re not raising a child. You’re raising an adult.” It’s almost like, on a visceral level, children know how their mother feels about herself and how she values herself.

By choosing self-care and self-compassion, I want to set the tone for what I wish for my daughter when she is in her 30s and 40s, juggling the many responsibilities that accompany raising children.

It’s an exciting shift from traditional “mothering” to a version of “modeling.” Showing your children what it looks like and feels like to be in the presence of a mother, a woman who deeply values herself and her feelings.

Embracing The Art of Narration to Illustrate Self-Care and Self-Compassion

Dr. Green: We can model it, but we can also narrate it and use it in a social context.

For example, if you’re in a partnered relationship, it’s important to agree that this is important to you, the idea of valuing your well-being and Taking Five for self-care.

So, when you leave the kitchen and head upstairs to take a bath or read a book, your partner can say, “It looks like Mom has gone upstairs to Take Five.” Everyone understands what that means.

If you’re a single parent, you can tell your child, “This is something that matters. This is important. I will do it because I love you, I love myself, and we love each other. So I’m going to do this, and I want you to know how to do this for yourself.”

Narrating with thoughtful words is important because you affirm that love drives your actions.

When you discuss going out for a walk with your child, you can say, “Sometimes we walk together, and sometimes I walk alone, and that’s when I collect my thoughts.”

RCG: I love this idea. Words have such an impact. I love how this normalizes self-care, and it can become an important part of the family culture.

What a gift to give children and our partners. They will have this idea instilled so deeply into their thinking that they can carry it forward wherever they go.

Learn more about Dr. Barbara Green Dr. Barbara Green here.

Look here to see how motherhood has been my greatest teacher.

Also, read this to see that everything we do is part of a larger journey that we’re now on.

I hope you enjoyed this piece! Wishing you abundant self-care and self-compassion as you journey through motherhood.