Motherhood may seem different for a lot of women, but if there's one thing that's expected of society for moms to do, it's to drop everything and focus on their babies.
For years, mothers have been putting their needs last. Fortunately, celebrity moms like Jennica Garcia are speaking up about their realizations as first-time moms, including things that they should have done but didn't.
The single mom of two kids Mori, 8, and Alessi, 5, recently shared the lessons she learned about self-love and caring for herself.
Jennica Garcia: 'Mahirap Maging Single Parent, Pero Kaya Pala Talaga'
Jennica Garcia shares realizations about self-care as a new mom
In an interview with Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph), Jennica recalled how she put her needs in the backseat after giving birth to her first child with Alwyn Uytingco in 2015 and again in 2018 with their second child.
“Kung meron man akong parang sana nagawa ko sooner, dapat nung nag-asawa ako, dapat nag-aayos pa din ako. Kasi ano, e, parang nawala na siya sa isip ko," she reveals at the Queen White event last August 24.
Jennica added, “Kasi siyempre first-time mom ka, tapos naalala ko nun when I had my first child, breastfeeding pa din ako nung three years old siya. Tapos nabuntis ako ulit. So parang nakalimutan ko lang na dapat pala pag tinitingnan ko yung sarili ko sa salamin, nagagandahan pa din ako sa sarili ko."
She even shared a very relatable moment for new moms, who understand how taking a bath has become a luxury after motherhood.
“Nung time kasi na yun, wala po talaga. Parang siguro ilang taon akong hindi na nagko-conditioner, kasi, siyempre, magmamadali kang maligo.
She didn't have a helper or anyone to look after her kids then, "'Yung CR mo, iyon na yung pinaka-destress mo, e. So pag naligo ako, shampoo, sabon, para isang buhusan tapos labas ka na agad."
"I want my fellow moms also to know.. na it’s okay to get help and it’s important that you know that you need help." —Jennica Garcia
She added, "Tapos ano pa yun, yung anak ko naka… yung parang bouncy seat, kasi habang naliligo ako, nandun na rin siya sa loob ng CR, so wala din ako kahit yung curtain, yung pansara ng curtain na ganun, tinapon ko na, kasi ako din ang naglilinis. Tapos silip ako nang silip sa anak ko pag naliligo ako, napagod na ako."
Jennica then urges new moms to never neglect themselves and to ask for help if needed, "Sana huwag ninyong pabayaan yung sarili niyo. Tapos patulong tayo sa mga biyenan, sa mga kamag-anak."
She added, “Please make sure na kumakain ka ng mainit na pagkain. Pag mommy kasi, sa totoo lang, pag mainit yung pagkain, kahit hindi na masarap, ang sarap pa din."
Jennica maintained, even though her kids are now ages 8 and 5, her role as a mother doesn't get easier, "Hindi totoo na parang mahirap lang iyan sa umpisa, wag ako! Mahirap talaga."
She continued, "You just happen to get used to it, to form a rhythm, and from there, just continue to keep doing.”
On self-care and asking for help
Jennica then explained why self-care and self-love aren't selfish, "It's a really good feeling na before pleasing anyone else, I wake up to make sure that the decisions that I make in life will, first and foremost, benefit myself. Because I know that if I put myself first, I’ll be able to give the best version of myself to my children.”
Although a celebrity and a beauty product endorser, Jennica puts it firmly that she doesn't want to portray that she's got it all together.
"I want my fellow moms also to know.. na it’s okay to get help and it’s important that you know that you need help."
During the same event, Philstar reported that Jennica admitted that she and Alwyn are working on their annulment and there's no chance of reuniting with him again.
Read self-care tips from moms, including "Having hot coffee without someone yelling 'Mom!' here.
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