Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. – Doctor Spock
Throughout the course of pregnancy into motherhood, people (with the best intentions) are going to project their views and ways onto you.
It can get pretty overwhelming and confusing listening to others’ thoughts and opinions about how they did it or what they think is right.
However, what might be right for them might not feel or be right to you. Motherhood is such a vulnerable time. Others can easily sway you if you aren’t in touch with your authentic truth, the feeling and knowing of who you are, what you believe in, and what feels right and resonates for you, your baby, and your family.
When someone does my Rooted for Life pregnancy program with me, one of the things I do is suggest products, books, referrals, and articles to read. Not because I want them to read, do, or buy them all, but because I want them to FEEL what resonates and feels right to them. It’s very simple; if it feels right and you like it, then try it, and if it doesn’t resonate then don’t.
The marketing world preys on the fears and neurosis of the new mother. Of course, all new mothers only want to do right for their children, but buying the right diaper genie isn’t going to make you any better of a mom. What will is to feel things out and trust that within, you always have the inner knowing of what’s right. After all, we are women and are blessed with a strong intuitive nature. The work is to trust and follow the answers and feelings you receive from with in.
Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out. – Michael Burke
- Listen to information from others, but pay attention to what “ feels” right. When something feels right, there is that “ahh haa” moment, like it just clicks and makes sense. It’s like your gut is saying, “YES!!!” What doesn’t resonate, let it bounce off you. Remember, people are just trying to help. Again, that doesn’t mean you have to do what they say is right.
Trust your hunches. They’re usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level. – Joyce Brothers
- Practice with books. Go to a book store, library, or borrow some books from your friends. Notice which ones you gravitate towards and read only them. Underline what you like and makes sense to you. Taking little bits that resonate from here and there will help build a foundation for your authentic way of doing things.
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. – Mark Twain
- Pick a few people that have children and a family life that you admire, respect, and inspire you. Watch and observe how they do things and ask them for advise when needed. Create a team of supportive people that support and celebrate you and your choices. It’s amazing how powerful and healing it can be, just having someone support you in your truth and decisions.
There is deep wisdom within our very flesh, if we can only come to our senses and feel it. – Elizabeth A. Behnke
- Tune in and become aware of your needs by simply slowing down and asking, “What do I need right now?” You will always hear an answer. The problem is it might not make sense or you might not like the answer, so often we don’t listen.
For the next few days try playing with this and see what comes up for you. By learning to be there for yourself, listening to what you need, and follow it with action. You will start to build a relationship with your inner knowing (your gut) and trust that you always have the answers within. When you can first master this with yourself you organically will able to tune into your children’s needs more easily.
