There are some things all moms out there really need to stop doing.

No, this isn't an article talking down to mamas about posting too many pictures of their kids on Facebook - it's much more important than that.

All too often, mothers fail to see how incredible they are. They fail to see that they are doing a wonderful job raising their tiny humans. That's why all moms absolutely need to stop doing these three things:

1. Using the word "just"

"I just stayed at home with the kids today." "I just did some of the dishes." "I'm just a stay-at-home-mom."

Sound familiar?

Moms like to use that defeated little word way too often. It may come off as humble, but it goes far past humility. When you say "I'm just this" you're diminishing your hard work and not giving yourself the credit you deserve.

What if other people spoke the same way you speak to yourself? "Oh, I'm just a pharmacist," or "I just worked an overtime shift at the restaurant." They don't, and neither should you, because mothering is no walk in the park - it's a full-time career that you should be proud of.

Treat "just" like a swear word. Don't say it, and don't let your fellow mothers use it either.

2. Feeling guilty you didn't get everything done today

You might still be in sweats with your hair in a bun at 3 p.m. You might not have gotten around to cleaning the bathroom like you planned. And you might have had your kids buy school lunch instead of replicating that darling lunchbox meal video you saw on Facebook. But guess what? It's pretty much impossible for busy mamas to check everything off their to-do list with crazy, unpredictable little ones running around.

Plus, moms tend to bite off more than they can chew, so do not let yourself feel defeated at the end of the day when your to-do list isn't totally completed. If you were a loving mom and wife today, that's way more important than chores and errands that can be done later.

3. Hating your post-baby body

Your body is not:

  • An object that needs approval from others

  • An unfulfilled expectation

  • An object that needs to be molded into some "ideal shape"

Your body is:

  • A strong, amazing gift

  • An object that has literally grown other humans inside of it

  • A miracle-maker and life-creator

Your body has accomplished enormous feats and has overcome incredible hardships- things you can't achieve unscathed. Your leftover pregnancy weight gain, your stretch marks and your scars are not things you should hate; they're things you should celebrate.

Though these three things seem tiny and insignificant, all moms can find more self-love and self acceptance when they stop doing these harmful things. Show yourself a little more compassion, don't beat yourself up over the small things, and do what you can to remember how great you are.

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