Why Your Recovery Isn’t Selfish—Even as a Mom

Sacrificing your sanity doesn’t make you more holy. Let’s talk about what actually honors Jesus… and it starts with caring for YOU.

Are You Running on Empty?

Let me guess. You just reheated your coffee for the third time today (and still didn’t drink it). You’ve wiped sticky fingers, packed lunches, managed a toddler meltdown, and maybe—just maybe—answered three emails or texts in the middle of snack time chaos. Somewhere between all that, you remembered: “Oh yeah, I was gonna start working on food freedom this summer.”

Friend… can we talk?

Because I need you to hear me loud and clear:
Prioritizing your recovery isn’t selfish. It’s sacred.
Even as a mama. Especially as a mama.

The Lie That Keeps Christian Moms Stuck

I hear it all the time from the incredible women I work with:

“I’ll work on my food issues after the kids go back to school.”
“I feel guilty spending time on myself.”
“I can’t start healing until I get all my other responsibilities handled first.”

Sound familiar?

It’s like we’re all walking around with this unspoken belief that somehow our worth is measured by how much we don’t need, how much we pour out, and how much we sacrifice without ever coming up for air.

But let’s call that what it really is: a lie from the pit of diet culture AND hustle culture. (Double whammy.)

Because Jesus didn’t say,

“Come to me all who’ve got it all together.”
He said:
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Let that sink in for a second. He welcomes the weary. The overwhelmed. The tired mamas and burned-out daughters who are trying to love their families well… but forget that they’re part of the family too.

Why Taking Care of Yourself Is NOT Selfish (It’s Actually Stewardship)

You are not just a caregiver, a chauffeur, a snack-maker, or a boo-boo kisser. You are a whole person made in the image of God—with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Ignoring your needs isn’t holy—it’s harmful.

And I get it. There's a lot going on.
But here’s what no one else is gonna tell you:

When you refuse to prioritize your recovery—whether it’s food freedom, body image, or emotional well-being—you’re not just affecting you. You’re impacting your whole household.

Research shows that when moms chronically neglect self-care, they’re more likely to experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Children of moms who diet frequently or criticize their own bodies? They're more likely to develop disordered eating patterns AND poor body image.

Oof. I know that hits hard.
But this isn’t to shame you. It’s to show you how powerful your healing can be.

When you model food peace and self-compassion, your kids learn what real grace looks like in action.
When you say no to dieting and yes to respecting your body, your daughter learns her body isn’t a problem to fix.
And when you ask for help and set boundaries, your family sees what healthy stewardship can look like.

From Martyrdom to Modeling: You Don’t Need Permission to Heal

Let me say it louder for the mom in the back: 

📢 You don’t need permission to care for yourself.

You don’t have to earn your way to rest.
You don’t have to check off your entire to-do list before you’re “allowed” to eat a meal in peace or say no to an activity that drains you.

Jesus already gave you the green light when He said you’re worthy—not for what you do, but because you’re His.

You don’t need a committee of approval to say, “Go ahead and pursue food freedom.”
You already have a calling to steward your body well. And that includes feeding it, resting it, and speaking kindly to it.

Practical Ways to Make Space for Recovery (Even with Kids at Home)

I know what you might be thinking…
“This all sounds great in theory, Brittany, but you have no idea what my days are like.”

Oh friend, I might not know your exact schedule, but as a mom of three (ages 7, 5, and under 2 😅), I know what it’s like to have approximately 0.5 seconds to yourself some days.

That’s why I want to share a few of my favorite low-stress strategies to help you make room for your recovery—even during a wild summer with kids at home.

🍎 1. Let Your Kids Help with Snack & Meal Prep

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Think:

• Batch-prepping snacks in reusable containers
  
  
• Letting them help wash produce or spread hummus on crackers
  
  
• Asking them what foods they enjoy and including them in the process

🧽 2. Get Them Involved with Age-Appropriate Chores

Have I bribed my kids with stickers to vacuum the rug? You betcha. 🙃
But here’s the beauty: Teaching them to help isn’t just about chores. It’s about building ownership, independence, and contribution.

Start small:

• Let them wipe down tables with a kid-safe cleaner. (Here's my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ONE! And is smells AH-mazing!)
  
  
• Sweep the floor
  
  
• Dust low surfaces
  

And don’t forget to celebrate their efforts. A little praise goes a long way.

📚 3. Lean Into Library Magic (Seriously)

Our local library has been a game changer—especially with Wonderbooks (they have a built-in audiobook for your little who can't read by themselves yet!) and activity books that keep little hands busy.
Even 20-30 minutes of quiet time can be enough for you to sit down, journal, pray, or listen to a recovery podcast episode in peace.

If you need some suggestions to podcast episodes to start with, check out my show, Faith-Filled Food Freedom, or DM me on Instagram, tell me what you're looking for, and I'll send you my top podcast recommendations!

📆 4. Create a Flexible Summer Schedule

You don’t need a minute-by-minute itinerary. But a rhythm? That’s gold.✨
Structure helps kids feel secure AND helps you build time for recovery and self-care.

One of my favorite resources for this is from my friend Adriane over at Raising Kids with Purpose. She has some amazing customizable schedule templates you’ll want to grab!

Remember: You’re a Lighthouse, Not a Lifeboat

You don’t have to save everyone.
You don’t have to do it all.
You’re not called to hustle your way into holiness.

You are a lighthouse. 
You shine from a steady place. You give direction. You model peace.

And modeling peace—real, Jesus-centered, non-diet culture peace—might just be one of the most powerful things you’ll ever do for your family.

So no, friend. Your recovery isn’t selfish.
It’s faithful.
It’s intentional.
And it’s desperately needed.

Ready to Go Deeper? Let’s Walk Together 🤍

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want that kind of peace, but I don’t know where to start,” you are 100% not alone.

Here’s how we can stay connected:

✨ Join my FREE Facebook community — Food Freedom & Body Image Support for Christian Women
👩‍🏫 Check out The Joy-Filled Eater LIVE — my proven Christ-centered food freedom & body image program designed to help you break free from food and body anxiety
🎧 Subscribe to the Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast — fresh episodes every week to keep you encouraged and equipped 

Final Thoughts: You’re Worth It, Mama

Let me leave you with this...

Jesus didn’t come to give you a life of just getting by.
He came to give you life to the FULL. (John 10:10)

So this summer, as you pour into your family, don’t forget to pour into yourself too.
Your healing isn’t just allowed—it’s holy work.
Let’s walk it out together.

💛 Cheering you on always,
Brittany