Hey friends, let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of motherhood: the importance of capturing a beautiful picture of just you—without the kids, without the chaos, just you being your fabulous self.
I’ve been reflecting on my own experience with this and realized that, like many moms, I have a favorite photo of my mom. It’s that one image you keep going back to, the one that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. For me, it’s a snapshot of my mom in her black bikini, lounging on a teak patio chair, probably back in the late ’70s. It’s a picture that’s worn at the edges but is still so full of life and captures the essence of who she is—just her, no kids or distractions in sight.
So I asked myself, do I have a photo like that? You know, the one that’s just about me? Not one from the hospital after giving birth, not in my wedding dress, and definitely not the silly selfie I took with my kids while we were enjoying ice cream last week. I wanted a beautiful picture of just me being ME.
I dug through a dozen scrapbooks overflowing with years of memories—first steps, birthday celebrations, and all those adorable moments of my kids growing up. But guess what? I was hardly in any of them. The only picture I found of myself was from the hospital, cradling a newborn. It made me wonder, what happened to the woman who existed before she became a mom?
It hit me: motherhood took over, and I became the family photographer, capturing every moment of my children’s lives while I stood behind the camera, missing out on documenting my own journey. Sure, I’ve taken plenty of selfies, but they don’t capture the essence of who I am outside of being a mom.
The last photo I could find of me just relaxing and enjoying life was from my honeymoon, two decades ago. That’s a long time! I’ve spent my boys’ childhood focused on everything but myself—cooking, organizing, and creating a wonderful life for them. And it’s time to change that.
So, here’s my plan: I’m going to ask someone to take a beautiful portrait of me. It’ll be just me, somewhere peaceful, showing my kids that before there was a mom, there was a woman who lived her life beautifully. It’ll be a picture where I feel relaxed and content, without worrying about how I look or how old I feel.
A Call to Action for Moms
Moms, I urge you to do the same! Don’t wait another day. Have your kids take a stunning photograph of just you. It’ll be a treasure for them to look back on in the future when they’re searching for memories of their mother.
And while we’re on the subject of family and creating memories, if you’re considering starting your own family, check out Make A Mom’s sperm donor matching group or learn about their unique at-home insemination options at Make A Mom. Curious about the process? Their how it works page has all the details you need.
Also, if you want to boost your chances of conceiving, consider their fertility supplements. And for those looking into insemination, this resource on intrauterine insemination is a great reference.
Remember, it’s all about balance—capturing moments of joy while also celebrating who you are as an individual. So grab that camera, capture that beautiful moment, and let your kids see the amazing woman behind the mom.
Leave a Reply