Can I share a story with you? Once upon a time..... after my son was born (my last child) I was so busy taking care of him and a toddler at home and my first born just starting school.... she was going for half days. At this exact time, my husband went back to school. I was so busy and exhausted and never took care of myself. All I did was look after my kids... my DH was never home.... I literally raised my kids on my own.
Furthermore, every weekend we would travel back to my in-laws house (an hour away) to look after his aging grandmother... she was bedridden by then. My mother-in-law's siblings never stepped up to the plate to look after her. They would come to visit and spend the entire day with her... but they would not sleep over. They had their own lives to tend to.
Really??? Here I was.... a new mother again and a 4 and 3 year old to look after as well.... and everyone relied on me to come during the weekends and look after grandma. I literally ignored my own kids.... put them in front of the television... just to tend to the exhausting morning chores.
The weekend would just fly by and before I knew it I was back in my town getting my kids in bed and my oldest ready for school the next morning. None of us knew if we were coming or going...

The result?
I didn't take care of myself at all. I had already gained a lot of weight during this pregnancy. I hadn't really lost my pregnancy weight before either! I managed to put on so much weight and I was oblivious to it. I mean... I knew I put on weight as I didn't have clothes that fit me anymore. I had to go and buy some. I was always looking frumpy in my choice of convenience clothes. Why would I get dressed up? I was constantly looking after people. A t-shirt and loose pants became my uniform! Sure, I had some nice clothes but those were saved for nice occasions.
One day my mom subtly mentioned about the weight I was putting on. She knew how busy my life was and even came down on occasion to help me.....

To be continued.