How Becoming a Parent is Helping Me Embrace Self-Love

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Everyone loves to tell new parents that the bond they share with their child is unlike any other. And as any parent can attest, this love is both profound and pure. I’ve never felt a connection as strong as the one I have with my little Emma.

Just the thought of sending her out into a world that can sometimes feel harsh makes my heart ache. When she faces challenges, I feel that pain deeply too. As parents, our instinct is to protect our children from harm and poor choices, even though we know that life’s ups and downs are essential for growth. Our role is to be there for guidance, but even more importantly, we need to instill in our kids the confidence and self-respect they’ll need to face life’s hurdles.

But how can we teach our children these vital lessons if we’ve let go of them for ourselves? How can I nurture Emma to love herself when I struggle with my own self-acceptance? What if I treated myself with the same love and care I show her? These questions have been on my mind a lot lately.

Recently, I confronted the tough truth that I’ve been tolerating situations in my life that I wouldn’t want for my daughter. I value who I am, but at some point, I stopped prioritizing myself and began putting everyone else first.

So, what’s my solution? I’ve started asking myself one transformative question: What would I want for my child? Because I deserve that same love. The first time I posed this question, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Imagining Emma experiencing my current struggles was painful. I’ve been trying to escape a toxic relationship for years, and suddenly, everything became clear. If I were advising my daughter, I would urge her to leave and never look back—she deserves far better. And that’s exactly what I’m doing now.

People often share advice that we neglect, but feeling the love behind that guidance makes all the difference. By visualizing myself as my daughter, I’m beginning to grasp the importance of self-love. Evaluating my choices through the lens of what I hope for Emma has pushed me to take better care of myself. I’m slowly evolving into the person I want to be because I know she’s observing my actions. There’s no better way to teach our children about love and respect than by embodying those qualities ourselves. We need to find our strength so we can raise resilient kids.

Next time you face a tough situation, I encourage you to ask yourself this powerful question: What would I want for my child? Using genuine self-love as your guide may not lead you to a perfect destination, but it will definitely steer you in the right direction. For more insights on parenting and self-care, check out this article on our blog. Also, if you’re looking for expert advice on fertility, Make A Mom has some great resources available. And for comprehensive information on pregnancy, the World Health Organization is an excellent reference.

In summary, embracing the love we have for our children can inspire us to love ourselves just as fiercely. By asking ourselves what we wish for our kids, we can begin to prioritize our own well-being and set a positive example for them.