Shirin Hojayeva: On Self Care in Motherhood
“We mothers work so hard and love so hard that we deserve luxury.” Mom of four Shirin Hojayeva drives home the importance of self care and prioritizing ourselves and she shares how she navigates life and work with her big family:
Shirin, tell us a little about you:
I am a mom of 4 and we have 1 dog. I love being a mom! Self care and fitness is very important to me to make sure I I stay a happy and healthy mom for my babies. I am always making sure I take time to take care of my skin especially after having four kids.
What did becoming a mom look like for you?
I always knew I wanted to be a mom and at a very young age I said I would have four kids. I came from a big family, and I always wanted a big family of my own. At first it was scary, but I was always ready for this journey! There’s nothing greater for me than waking up and sleeping and looking at their beautiful faces everyday. Every day is new, and it’s so important that I make sure my children are growing into strong adults that will make an impact on the world.
What was the most unexpected part of your motherhood journey?
Seeing how my body changed over the years and after each child. I always knew it wasn’t easy to be a mom, but I saw how great my mom looked as a child and never realized I personally would have to work so hard to maintain healthy skin and a fit body. But I learned to do workouts and include the kids. Now instead of lifting weights, I lift my baby!
How does Matrescence’s Mission to “mother the mother” resonate with you as a mom?
We mothers work so hard and love so hard that we deserve luxury and products that will keep us confident. Using clean products on my skin will help me hold on to my beauty and feel good inside and out.
In what ways do you find self care in your day? Do you struggle with prioritizing it in your life?
I do most of my self-care in the morning after dropping the older kids off at school and while my youngest baby is down for a nap. I try to sleep when the kids are sleeping. It can be difficult to find time on the weekends when school is out, but help from my partner makes things easier. On the days when I’m able to get up a little bit earlier or stay up a little bit later, I make sure to carve out at least 10 minutes to focus on myself.
What is the best advice you received about parenting and who did you get it from?
When I started to have the conversation of wanting kids, my mom told me: “everything comes at the right time, and you’ll always find a way to be ready.”
What struggles have you encountered finding balance? How do you navigate them?
Sometimes I struggle balancing work and the kids. So I make sure that I really love the work that I’m doing. It’s so rewarding to be able to provide a good life for my kids. I love spending time with my kids, and I always put them first. I navigate and find balance by keeping the kids in activities and giving myself activities like piano lessons and exercise so that I’m peaceful. And I am not afraid to ask for help from the tribe I have around me. And I surround myself with people that understand what it’s like to have a big family.
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