I'm a Better Mom When I Take Care of Myself
Editor's Note: This is the first in a new GoodHousekeeping.com series, Month of Me. This January, we're officially banning "should" (as in, "I should go on the treadmill," or "I should clean the garage" that often come with maintaining cliché New Year's resolutions) and encouraging you to give yourself a break after the holiday season. During the month of January, we'll be sharing personal essays and other content to help you take time for yourself. We're lucky to have Alexandra Breckenridge, a mom of two in real life who plays Sophie on This Is Us, kick things off!
Most people strive for work-life balance. I, on the other hand, strive to be the best that I can be. Along with my role as Sophie on This Is Us, I'm a wife and mom of two kids under two. Just last month, I welcomed my sweet baby girl, Billie, into the world. Between having a newborn (thankfully she's been an easy baby so far!) and a 15-month old son, I'm always on the move - and it can be exhausting.
Through it all, I try to show my children that I'm human. As parents, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect for our children but it's important that they see that we're people too. I want my kids to grow up knowing that it's totally okay to make mistakes because I make them. Along with this, I want them to understand the value of taking care of yourself. I'm trying my best to lead by example - and let's face it, some days I do better than others.
