The 80% Rule

Perhaps you are reading this blog because you are pregnant and registered for a childbirth education class. Your baby will be here before you know it, and there’s one rule you must follow. It’s the 80% rule -the one and only “rule” that, ironically, brings much freedom. This rule is not written about in any baby books or blogs, and yet – you must base your life around it. At least for a season.

The 80% rule– which, by the way is entirely made up by me, but affirmed by many-a-seasoned-mom - says that you strive to do everything at about 80% of the scale you either used to, or desire to. And…..this is key – YOU ARE OK WITH THAT.

For example, pre-baby, perhaps you used to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. Now, it’s all you can do to get there 1-2 times a week. That is ok! It’s better than no times at all. (And, if you’re not going at all, remain calm and stay tuned for my post to come, entitled “For A Season.”)

Or, perhaps pre-baby, you had all your meals planned out, and cooked dinner from scratch 3-4 times per week. Now, it’s all you can do to boil a pot of spaghetti, rely on leftovers, and then make your way to the Costco freezer aisle to get you through the week. That is ok! Everybody’s belly’s are full.

I could go on and on with examples – the amount you travel, how many date nights occur with your hubby, how often you update your wardrobe, how clean your house is. Once you become a mama, you just have to make it all relative. Doing it at 80% is better than 0%. (And, I might add – doing it at 80% - with your sweet baby - is better than doing it at 100% before your little one came to be.)

So give yourself some grace, and be thankful for that Stoffer’s chicken enchilada you just enjoyed.