Why limit February to only one day of celebrating love?  How about we agree to celebrate love all month long?

 And, why limit Valentines “month” to only romantic love?  How about celebrating all the love in our lives...like our children, our relatives, our good friends and our pets? 

 When you think about it, love is really what gets us through our day…especially new mothers!  When you are sleep deprived, positively exhausted from cleaning up spit-up and washing clothes and have to face one more toxic diaper, isn’t it love that gets you through?  Doesn’t it make it all worth it when baby looks up at you…in your eyes…and gives you the biggest smile?  Even when he or she cries, the act of holding and comforting baby makes you feel the warmth of love in your heart.  It gets us through even the toughest days.

 And if this is your first baby, you are in for a treat. When they get a little older and can actually tell you they love you, it’s just magic.  That one moment can erase a day filled with tantrums, potty accidents and meltdowns. No, not all days are like that, don’t worry! Some days are filled with watching your child master a new skill, hearing her laughing and playing, and seeing her pet a kitty very, very gently.  And wait ‘till you get your first Valentine’s from his or her Kindergarten class.  I love February!

 You don’t have to be a mom to relate to how your momentary experience is transformed when your best friend calls you in the middle of a challenging day.  The moment before she called you may have wanted to scream, get in the car and drive away for good. But speaking with her gives you a new perspective on it all. Your friend may even be able to help you laugh about it.  You can now go back to the challenge at hand with renewed energy and perhaps a better handle on the problem.

 If you have a supportive husband or boyfriend (even if he doesn’t always act supportive) you’re a lucky girl.  How nice it is to turn to our spouse at the end of a challenging day, or even a delightful day, and share with him the details.  Husbands very often get ignored once the baby is born. For good reason, babies and children take so much of our energy and attention there just doesn’t seem to be enough left to give him.  My best advice is to compile a list of great babysitters and treat yourself to a weekly date night (click here to read my article on finding the best babysitter.)  This plan has saved a lot of marriages…mine included.  Recommit this Valentine’s month to taking even just a moment at the end of the day to connect. Express your gratitude for his being there and show some physical affection, even if it’s simply a quick kiss.  Most guys don’t need much, but they do need something. The love and support we receive from him, even if it’s just experienced a few moments a day, is so worth it.  

 Last, but not least, recommit to loving yourself this month (and beyond.)  If we make a habit of neglecting our needs and our feelings, we’ll have a tough time enjoying love when it comes to us from any source.  Treat yourself like a beloved.  Say nice things to and about yourself. Acknowledge your strengths and all your achievements – from the smallest to the largest.  Give yourself the gift of some time-off to do something you really love.  Get out into nature and go for a walk. Breathe in the beauty. Treat yourself to something special today. Act like you matter.  For without you, there would be no happy family.  

 Practicing self-love will keep us alive and passionate for living and experiencing another day in this adventure called parenthood.

 Blessings, and enjoy the Month of Love!