I have worked in the beauty industry as a cosmetologist for five years now and something that always amazes me is the stigma of a mom taking time away from her kids to get pampered. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard whispered judgments from men and women because a woman in their circle got eyelash extensions, breast implants, frequent massages, etc. They were judging her because she chose to do something that made her feel good rather than be at home with her kids for that hour. She chose to spend money on herself instead of on her kids and that is enough to be condemned as a bad mom.
Self Care is NOT Selfish
Taking the time out of your week to get away from your kids and spend a little money on yourself is not selfish. It doesn’t make you a bad mom. A lot of the beauty industry is preventive healthcare. For example, regular pedicures are a great way to prevent or detect any signs of corns, bunions, and fungal infections before they cause problems. They also decrease foot odor and increase circulation.
Visiting your hairdresser regularly can also help detect health issues. Irregular hair loss and hair texture can be a sign of a health concern. A few years ago, while I was doing one of my regular client’s hair, I noticed one of the moles on his scalp looked a little weird. I advised him to go see a doctor and get it looked at. Turns out he had a form of skin cancer. While not every service is preventative health (e.g., eyelash extensions), if it makes you happy, you shouldn’t feel guilty getting them done.
Spending Money on Yourself is NOT Selfish
My dad made a comment once about how grateful he was he didn’t have a wife that spent money on unnecessary beauty appointments. He described women that got breast implants, fake nails, fake eyelashes, or massages as selfish. This, of course, made me mad. How can we judge a women that dedicates 99% to her family and takes only 1% to treat herself to something that makes her feel beautiful again?
You Deserve It
As a mom, it is hard to feel good about your body and yourself. You change so much after having kids and most days, making your outfit match is too much work. Taking the time to go get something done that makes you feel beautiful is never bad. You deserve a little treat, whatever that may be. You deserve a moment locked in your room with your headphones in eating a piece of chocolate as your kids bang on the door. Whatever you need to do to heal and be the strong woman your kids need – DO IT. Enough of this moms need to dedicate every waking hour to their kids mentality. You are not selfish spending money for yourself. Your kids (and husband) will survive a few hours without you so that you can refresh.
