Go to the dentist...

...because self-care matters!  

I had a dentist appointment this morning and before all the fun began, the hygienist and I were chatting. Nothing too deep or serious, just small talk. But one part of our conversation stuck with me all day. We were talking about how hard it is for parents, specifically stay at home moms, to make regular dentist appointments for themselves. And it's true. But why?  

Could it be that we are so overloaded with information on parenting that we cannot process what it means to take care of our own needs? Maybe we are too busy reading about how to take better care of our children, or fielding questions from other parents about the milestones that have or haven't a been reached, or worrying whether our children are getting enough omega 3's and folic acid.  

I'm not saying those things aren't worth our time. They definitely are. What I am saying is this: our focus should be on the needs of ourselves and our children. I know that my kids do better when I am healthy and they learn to take care of themselves by watching me. So why allow myself to fall to the bottom of the list?

It felt good to go to my regularly scheduled dentist appointment. It's been years since I actually made it back within 6 months. Plus, I just felt like smiling all day because my teeth were so wonderfully CLEAN!

We all need reminders to take car of ourselves. So here is my reminder to you: go to the dentist!