Why Mothers are Worthy of Putting Themselves First with Dr. Amber Thornton
— EPISODE 57 —
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This episode was produced by Crys & Tiana.
In this episode, I welcome Dr. Amber Thornton, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Motherhood Wellness Consultant. Dr. Amber is the Founder of Balanced Working Mama, a community for millennial working mothers who need help with balancing work, motherhood, and wellness.
Tune in to hear Dr. Amber talk about how mothers can put themselves first without compromising their other roles and personal self-worth.
“This radical shift of putting yourself first…putting yourself in the center is actually insurance to ensure that you will think about yourself,” Dr. Amber says, “Centering your own needs really helps to bring balance to the whole picture.”
Dr. Amber has learned not to associate her self-worth with whether or not she had a bad day in motherhood. She grew up associating self-worth with achievements and she helps us see the importance of breaking that cycle by prioritizing our needs so that we can be well enough to care for others.
“Putting yourself first does not equate neglect.”
- Dr. Amber Thornton
Women are often taught that being a mother gives them self-worth, and they often lose their other identities in the process. When we learn to put ourselves first, we come to realize that it is actually for the better good. Putting ourselves first does not lead to selfishness; it leads to balance.
There is no such thing as a perfect mother. Motherhood is not an easy feat, especially in America, where we’ve been socialized to do it all by ourselves. We must continually think about what we need and not be afraid to reach out for help.
It is time to redefine what balance in motherhood looks like; it shouldn’t be performance-driven but mother centered. When we center our needs, we are helping your family meet other people’s needs. We are also communicating our boundaries to our children, helping them see that we are human and have needs as well.
Now is the time to practice self-compassion and break up with mom guilt and anxiety. Taking out time for yourself won’t damage your family; it will help you be a better version of yourself and enable you to better serve those you love.
How to Put Yourself First Without Compromising Your Role As A Mother:
Deal with mom guilt head-on. Be critical about the guilt you feel, and keep going. There is healing behind the guilt.
Be vocal about your needs as a mom. Be clear about what you need and how you need it. Don’t be afraid to outsource; learn how to delegate and collaborate with other people in your circle.
Look for a community of like-minded women who understand the season you are in and can cheer you on and show you the ropes so you can be fulfilled while being a mother.
Do things that will positively impact your self-worth. Engage in activities that refresh and replenish you!
About Dr. Amber Thornton:
Dr. Amber Thornton is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Motherhood Wellness Consultant. She is the Founder of Balanced Working Mama, whose mission is to completely change the narrative of what is possible for millennial working mothers by helping them better balance work, motherhood, and wellness.
Balanced Working Mama’s community continues to grow as more mamas are learning how to redefine “balance” in motherhood and truly begin to prioritize their needs and desires first.
Dr. Amber Thornton is dedicated to sharing tips, strategies, and mindset shifts for balancing work, motherhood, and wellness weekly on The Balanced Working Mama Podcast. Dr. Thornton also helps working mamas to transform their wellness through the Balanced Working Mama Community, a virtual wellness community that supports millennial mamas in finding the balance & wellness in motherhood through any season of their journey.
Dr. Thornton resides in Washington, DC, with her husband and two children. She is deeply passionate about helping other working mothers fulfill their goals, passions, and find more joy throughout their motherhood experiences.
To connect further with Dr. Amber:
Visit her website: https://www.balancedworkingmama.com/
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dramberthornton
Follow Balanced Working Mama on Instagram: www.instagram.com/balancedworkingmama
Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amber-thornton-8aaa7971/
Subscribe to her Podcast: https://anchor.fm/balancedworkingmama
Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-IfBlPEXF1U
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