From today, the Kindle version of our award-winning book for moms, Purple Leaves, Red Cherries, is FREE to download from all Amazon websites worldwide. This free Mother’s Day gift will be available for five days until 11.59 Pacific Time, May 16, 2013.

To download the Kindle, use one of the following links:
US: http://amzn.to/161fN7a
Canada: http://amzn.to/13ctsVt
UK: http://amzn.to/YzIc0U

To find out how you can read a Kindle without a Kindle device, visit:
http://amzn.to/10PLbN6

In addition, we are offering moms in Australia and New Zealand $8 off shipping of the hardback book for 48 hours only (shipping costs reduced from $12 to $4). Buy the hardback here.

Wishing all of our readers a wonderful day, whether today is the day you celebrate Mother’s Day in your county, or not.

May your day be clear of all the regular “I must do…” thoughts; a day that is happy, beautiful and full of hugs and kisses.

With love to you, mama,

Tania

Free Mother’s Day Gift

If you’re a fan of Purple Leaves, Red Cherries, would like to find out more about my self-publishing journey and/or have dreams of self-publishing your own book someday, these interviews are for you!

This week Christie Halmick interviewed me as part of her Women Branching Out series. Christie, who is incredibly talented in digital and print media content and design, helps women shine online through her internet courses that teach branding, content strategy, design and marketing skills. Check out Christie’s interview with me on her website, Jewels Branch Creative.

Jo Ebisujima has a passion for sewing and crafts, and helping women organize the chaos that may exist in their homes. So if you like to sew and your sewing and craft supplies are a mess, Jo’s the perfect woman for you! Of course, even if you don’t have craft supplies and you’re simply tired of the chaos in your home, Jo can offer you great guidance and an online course on how to make your home a tranquil and decluttered haven.

Jo interviewed me as part of her Inspiration Sunday series. Her interview reveals more about what inspired me to create Purple Leaves, Red Cherries. You can read it on her website, Jojoebi Designs.

I’d love to hear from you if you have a dream of self-publishing a book, too!

I’m so happy to welcome Elaine Morales, a speaker, author, and life transformation coach, who will reveal all that she wished she had known about her postpartum body.

I hope Elaine’s wise words will help you appreciate your own miraculous and ever-changing postpartum body AND life.

What is your relationship with your postpartum body?

5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About My Postpartum Body

I am not a new mom. In fact, my “baby” is turning 16 this week! My oldest child is headed off to college in the fall.

But those first days, weeks, and years of motherhood seem like they happened just yesterday. It is all a blur of leaking breasts, the sweetest smells, awkward grocery tantrums, piles of picture books, crusty high chairs, warm cheeks, and too many episodes of Dragon Tales. 

It was during this time that I simultaneously lost and found myself. 

Motherhood causes us to re-examine who we are. For me, it also created a shift in my relationship with my body that I did not see coming.

Intellectually, I was in awe of the astonishing feats my body had accomplished.  Growing another human being.  Wow. Emotionally, I was less than impressed. I felt disappointed in my postpartum body and the bulging and sagging form it insisted on taking. I wore a bra to bed at night every night for three years, and I don’t think I owned anything with buttons for the better part of a decade. 

And that’s a shame.  I don’t know if it could have turned out any differently, but here are 5 things I wish I knew before motherhood that might have saved me some heartache.

1. Our Bodies Are Always Changing

The feel and appearance of my postpartum body was shocking to me. I was almost unrecognizable.

But the truth is, our bodies are always changing.  Nothing remains the same, and change is a natural and glorious part of life’s evolution. 

I have since learned that 98% of the cells in our bodies are completely replaced within one year. Isn’t that cool? 

If I had known all of this, I might have re-framed what I was experiencing from a shocking betrayal to evidence of my connection to the magic and miracles of the universe. As new moms, we don’t have to worry about “getting our bodies back.” Our bodies are always there for us.

2. The Body Heals Itself

Oh, my gosh what pain. One vaginal birth and one C-section. Infected milk ducts. The postpartum  body and postpartum blues.

What happened to my healthy body?  I made more trips to the doctor’s office in those first few months than I had in the previous 15 years! 

I wish I understood more about the body’s natural healing process.  I wish I trusted my postpartum body more rather than feeling like I needed an outside, “expert” opinion.  Rest, water, good food, and time is what I needed, not stress, pressure and pharmaceuticals.

“The body heals itself; the physician is only nature’s assistant” –Hippocrates

3. My Best Body is the One I Have Right Now

OK, I was a slow learner on this one.  I wish I had learned and understood that, “Thinking we will love our body at some future time when it reaches perfection is a dead end strategy.”  (Marc David, author of Nourishing Wisdom) 

During my binging and dieting years, which escalated after my second child was born, I put my happiness on hold. 

My “food drama” and poor body image stole my joy, spent a lot of energy that could have been channeled into more productive pursuits, and kept me in a state of self-rejection.  My “now” body wasn’t my real self.  My “real” self was some future body that existed in my mind. 

I have since learned that the present moment is where the action is at.  By being present with our “now” body – moving, breathing, celebrating, enjoying it – we can experience our best bodies at any time. 

4. I’m Beautiful

There were days in those early parenting years when I cleaned myself up – shaved my legs and put on a little lip gloss. On those days, I felt somewhat attractive. But mostly, not. 

I hid in baggy clothes, had sex with my nightshirt on, held back, stayed out of the picture (please read my friend Allison’s inspiring essay The Mom Stays in the Picture, for more on that topic!)  My husband knew all this time how beautiful I was, my kids knew, too, but I couldn’t accept it. What a waste.

I wish I knew how beautiful I was. I was as beautiful as I am now and will be tomorrow. 

5. It Is Possible to Be a Fit Mom!

Self-acceptance is a key to a happy life. To experience daily bliss, have loving and supportive relationships, and see our most fantastic dreams come true, we must be in touch with our inner awesomeness. We must truly and deeply love and accept ourselves exactly as we are.

However, this does not mean that we can take a pass on our own health and fitness.  Taking care of our bodies through nourishing food and heart-thumping exercise feels good and contributes to our long-term vitality. 

Beating ourselves up with punishing exercise is not a good thing, but moving our postpartum body in a way that creates health and strength is spiritual.  Challenging ourselves physically can be a form of meditation.  By eating well and often and making physical activity a priority, we are modeling good health and self-confidence for our children.

Our health and fitness is important.  Not as a path to “perfection,” but a celebration of the body we’ve been given.

Staring down my 45^th birthday, I’ve never felt happier.  Life is full of magic and miracles, and I appreciate everything about my body. 

Elaine Morales, speaker, author, and life transformation coach helps women who are obsessed, distressed, and downright depressed by on-going food drama in their lives to break free and achieve their ideal weight while enjoying food and loving life.

Following decades of grappling with a serious and persistent premium ice cream habit that left her pudgy, lethargic, frequently ill and prone to fits of self-loathing…Elaine embarked on a life-changing journey to transform her physical and emotional health. Now fit and blissed out, instead of chubby and stressed out, Elaine has been the catalyst for hundreds of life transformations by inspiring and teaching women how to eat for health, happiness and strength, make self-care a priority, and leverage their inner awesomeness to realize their life’s dreams.

A Princeton University graduate, she received her training as a holistic health counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City.Find out more about Elaine on her website:www.notjustadaydream.com

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5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About My Postpartum Body

Today we’re talking about exhaustion in motherhood. Mmm, makes you sleepy already?

I’m excited to share with you my interview with Leanne Kaye, a mother of three, midwife and “Baby and Birth” expert.

Leanne has extensive experience working with new moms. In the interview, Leanne describes how and why exhaustion was her biggest surprise when she became a mom. Leanne also shares her top three tips that will allow you to feel less exhausted in early motherhood.

We would also love to read how you manage to stay less exhausted in motherhood — please post your tips in the comments section below.

Awesome Tips for New Moms: Overcoming Exhaustion

Leanne Kaye teaches childbirth and early parenthood courses, offers breastfeeding consultations and is the CEO of Night Nanny International, providing  in-home care during the day and night. Leanne works with new moms in their homes and online via skype. She is also a public speaker on pregnancy and postnatal issues. Find out more about Leanne by visiting her webpage: http://leannekaye.com

Receiving a loving review, knowing that Purple Leaves, Red Cherries has touched another woman’s heart makes my heart sing!

“Truly, it hasn’t been since the Griffin and Sabine chronicles that I’ve enjoyed a book that was both such a work of art to behold and to read.” 

These are just a few of the lovely words put together by Lisa Grace Byrne in her review of Purple Leaves, Red Cherries on her site, Well Grounded Life.

Thank you, Lisa!

You can read the full review and check out how Lisa is helping moms worldwide by visiting Well Grounded Life.

If you were challenged by your pre-parenthood clutter, things are not about to get easier. But help is at hand!

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Jo Ebisujima to our Awesome Tips for New Moms series. Jo is the founder of My Organized Chaos. She loves helping moms control the clutter in their homes.

6 Tips for Controlling the Clutter When You’re a New Mom

Bringing a new member into the family is an exciting prospect but it’s also unbelievable how much ‘stuff’ these little people need. There are so many baby products on the market, that apparently you and your new babe can’t live without, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with clutter.

When I was a new mom, we lived in a tiny apartment and we just didn’t have the space for any added clutter. We didn’t have a nursery, baby changing table or even space for a crib. Our baby ended up sleeping with us, on a futon, Japanese style. I later learned that this was in line with Montessori philosophy, which I later delved into much deeper. 

So, how do you cope with all the clutter?

1. Start with a good clear out

If you’re pregnant, that ‘nesting’ time is a perfect excuse to remove anything that you no longer need, use or that’s just adding to the mess. See it as a good reason to really have a good clear out. Do it systematically, one shelf or cupboard at a time. If your baby has already arrived then assign a shelf or cupboard for the day, don’t try and take on the whole room in one day, it won’t get finished and you’ll get discouraged and feel like a failure. Baby steps (excuse the pun) is the way forward.

2. Ask before you buy

It’s hard to know exactly what equipment you’ll need and use, so before you buy anything, ask around. Ask friends who have similar ideals, ask family members and also ask what they bought and never used. We survived just fine without a changing table and crib. We only used a baby bath for a month and then got rid of it, which was great because it was a pain to have in the tiny apartment.

3. Set up a system

This especially applies for clothes. Babies do grow quickly so make sure that all the clothes that fit them now are at the front of the cupboard or drawer. There’s nothing more annoying than discovering a brand new outfit at the back of the cupboard that your little one will no longer fit into.

As they grow out of an outfit, wash it and then either pack it away for the next child or if you’re not planning on having any more children, pass it on to someone who can make good use of it. Of course, you’ll have a favorite outfit or two that you’ll want to hold onto. This is the time to find a nice box to keep all your keepsakes in.

4. The Keepsake box

Have one specific box for all your child’s keepsakes. If you have more than one child, then have a box for each child. Keep it somewhere reasonably accessible so that you can easily add items to it as time goes by.

5. Train them young

I’m a BIG believer of getting kids trained young. These days we tend to molly-coddle kids and do far too much for them. Getting them started at a young age increases their independence and leads them to be more accepting of helping around the home when they get older – no need for chore charts and sticker rewards. If you set up your child’s room in such a way that they can do things by themselves it will save you a lot of time and hassle. Once they get to toddler age, you can ask them to put away their clothes and toys, and you know what? Toddlers LOVE helping mommy. Instill it as a habit and you’ll be saving yourself a whole load of heartache further down the line.

6. Over to you

What one piece of advice would you share with a friend who’s about to have her first born? Let us know in the comments section. Can’t wait to hear your great tips.

Jo Ebisujima is the founder of My Organized Chaos. She helps busy moms to organize their family and home so that they have more time for the fun stuff.Find out more about Jo and her great work at: http://www.my-organized-chaos.com/

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6 Tips for Controlling the Clutter When You’re a New Mom

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Do you feel that motherhood has surprised you in its complexity?

Motherhood has been around for eternity, yet I believe it’s more complex today than at any time in history.

We are becoming mothers later in life, having lived more independently and probably further away from our families than generations prior to us.

We hold high expectations of how we will “perform” as moms, backed by parenting advice and promises from the experts.

However, with so many experts telling us how to parent, choosing between them can feel overwhelming. Choice is a wonderful thing but not when it makes us feel insecure, causes us to lose our way, and pulls us apart from ourselves.

Read the rest of this post and discover how you can find your way in motherhood over on the What to Expect website.

See you there and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. Thank you!

MOM ENOUGH AND HAPPY

It’s not too late to order some wonderful gifts online. Below we have listed 14 special gifts that also GIVE BACK!

Find gifts for:

♥ The woman on a journey ♥ The child who’ll appreciate a hug from a bunny ♥ The child who lunches out ♥ Anyone who could use a stylish carryall (everyone?) ♥ The woman who appreciates a touch of chic ♥ Someone who recently lost a loved one ♥ The new mom seeking inspiration and support ♥ The gal who loves her jammies ♥ The teenager with a message ♥ Anyone with a wall crying out for love ♥ Someone who has everything ♥ Yogis (and those that dream to become one) ♥ The baby who’s about to discover solids ♥ The dog who expects a gift too! ♥

FOR THE WOMAN ON A JOURNEY
	An INSPI(RED) V-Neck Tshirt from RED Made of Micro Jersey, Suprima cotton and MicroModal, this heavenly soft women’s tee is fitted and made a bit longer for added comfort and ease. Made in the USA. PRICE: $25 HOW YOU HELP: 100% of profits go to the Global Fund to deliver an AIDS Free Generation by 2015.

FOR THE CHILD WHO’LL APPRECIATE A HUG FROM A BUNNY
	Kohl’s Cares® Margery Williams Bianco “The Velveteen Rabbit” Collection This story by Margery Williams Bianco will make children want to cheer on their pal as he takes on adventures. This Kohl’s Cares collection is sure to be a family favorite when you pair it with the rabbit plush toy. PRICE: $10 together or $5 each. HOW YOU HELP: 100% of net profits will support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide.

FOR THE CHILD WHO LUNCHES OUT
	BUILT Big Apple Buddies Lunch Bag – Macdougal Monkey (additional animals available) Perfect for keeping food and drinks cool on the way to daycare, pre-school, or picnic playdates. Fits a sandwich, fruit or veggies, a juice box, and a small ice pack. Meets or exceeds ASTM and applicable safety standards, tested for lead safety and phthalates, PVC- and BPA-free. PRICE: $20 HOW YOU HELP: $4 goes to a charity of your choice.

FOR ANYONE WHO COULD USE A STYLISH CARRYALL (EVERYONE?)
	FEED 1 Bag in Gray The iconic FEED 1 Bag is now available in gray! 100% cotton and natural burlap. Reversible with 2 side pockets and 1 interior pocket on the cotton side. 15″ W x 15″ H x 6″ D. 11″ drop handles. PRICE: $80 HOW YOU HELP: Each FEED 1 Bag will provide school meals to 1 child for 1 year.

FOR THE WOMAN WHO APPRECIATES A TOUCH OF CHIC
	Lao Silk Scarf from Orijyn Soft and luxurious. 17″ x 60″. Packaged in an organza bag and bamboo basket. Multiple colors available. PRICE: $60 HOW YOU HELP: Money from your purchase goes directly to the artisan woman in Laos who made the scarf. This allows you to help sustain the community culture and supply much-needed income, preventing families from having to migrate to the city to find commoditized, low paying work.

FOR SOMEONE WHO RECENTLY LOST A LOVED ONE
	Plant a Tree with a Memorial Sponsorship Carry forward the name of those memorialized in a living, vital way, one that grows throughout the years. A beautiful tree benefits everyone now and for generations to come. Each sponsorship includes a certificate personalized with the name of your loved one. PRICE: Ranges from $10 (1 tree) to $80 (20 trees) HOW YOU HELP: Your tree/s will be planted in the United States. Each tree is a native species that will help protect and restore the wild places that nurture wildlife.

FOR THE NEW MOM SEEKING INSPIRATION AND SUPPORT
	Purple Leaves, Red Cherries – a gift book for new moms This award-winning book is loved by new moms and mothers of young children. With short stories, a journal, a mother’s toolkit, and beautiful artwork, Purple Leaves, Red Cherries is an inspiring book that comforts and supports women in early motherhood. PRICE: $28.95 HOW YOU HELP: Every sale of the book allows $5 to be donated to programs funded by Every Mother Counts. Every Mother Counts helps save moms’ lives by providing women with improved prenatal and postnatal health care and access to midwives during birth.

FOR THE GAL WHO LOVES HER JAMMIES
	SESSI Full Punjammies Super-soft, light-weight cotton, low-rise – sits comfortably on hips. Wide-legged, super comfortable. Matching drawstring trimmed with wooden beads and elasticized waistband. Additional prints available. Made with hope in India. PRICE: $35 HOW YOU HELP: PUNJAMMIES™ are created in after-care facilities for women who have been rescued, released or escaped from a life of forced prostitution.  When you buy a PUNJAMMIES, you are a key part of a woman’s path out of modern-day slavery, into a life of hope, dignity and freedom.

FOR THE TEENAGER WITH A MESSAGE
	The Giving Keys Classic Pendant Cool is the word! Choose your word and your chain. PRICE: $35 HOW YOU HELP: The Giving Keys exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to engrave recycled keys that get sold and shared around the world.

FOR ANYONE WITH A WALL CRYING OUT FOR LOVE
	Art for Freedom Print (large selection of prints available) 20″x 24″ high quality print ready for framing (larger and smaller sizes also available). PRICE: $44 HOW YOU HELP: 100% of the proceeds go towards Remember Nhu, a non-profit organization that saves at-risk children from being sold into sex slavery in Asia and assures freedom and provision: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING
	A Community Garden Provides the gardening tools, seeds and other supplies to enable US-based refugees to start a community garden. The garden will help them put fresh food on the table and well-earned cash in their pockets. PRICE: $60 HOW YOU HELP: This gift provides refugees with the land, materials and connections to local farmers’ markets and restaurants, so they can sell their produce.

FOR YOGIS (AND THOSE THAT DREAM TO BECOME ONE)
	“Peace, Love & Gratitude” Green Yoga Mat Non-toxic and Eco-Friendly – clean PVC, free of latex, heavy materials and phthalates. Super cushy, extra sticky and easy to clean. Inspirational quote gives you energy and focus. Size: 74″ x 24″. Thickness: 5mm. PRICE: $65 HOW YOU HELP: In a very personal way – you allow the receiver of the mat to give the gift of a free Yoga lesson to someone who they know could really benefit. Yoga has been proven to alleviate health problems and reduce stress. You receive a free yoga lesson code when you purchase the mat. The code can be used nationwide. Be sure to pass the code on.

FOR THE BABY WHO’S ABOUT TO DISCOVER SOLIDS
	Golden Rabbit Peter Rabbit Special Set From the classic children’s book, this charming set features one 8.5″D plate, one 5″D bowl with lid and one 4 oz. mug. Includes a special keepsake gift box. Parent tested & parent approved for safety, functionality, style and quality. PRICE: $42 HOW YOU HELP: $8.40 goes to a charity of your choice. See website for more details.

FOR THE DOG WHO EXPECTS A GIFT TOO!
	Moochew -  an upcycled tug toy made from milking tubes Each toy is approximately 12 inches long and has a handle on the end for a friendly grip. After being washed and sanitized, Moochews are still left with a “bovine eau de parfum” that dogs find glorious. What other toy can claim it used to milk a cow? PRICE:  $12 HOW YOU HELP: $10 from this sale is donated to the French Bulldog Rescue Network

Purple Leaves, Red Cherries has just become such a gift!

I’m very excited to announce that we are partnering with Every Mother Counts to improve the lives of mothers worldwide.

Every Mother Counts is a mobilization and advocacy campaign that aims to increase education and support for maternal health globally.

Every two minutes, a woman around the world dies from complications due to pregnancy or childbirth, creating a rippling effect that devastates children, families and communities. Yet, almost 90% of these deaths are preventable through actions such as providing women with prenatal health care and access to midwives during birth.

From here on, with every copy of Purple Leaves, Red Cherries purchased from our website, we will donate $5 to Every Mother Counts. Every cent of the $5 we donate will go directly to programs on the ground, which improve maternal and child health.

This is your chance to buy an inspiring book and help save a mom’s life.

I invite you to visit the Every Mother Counts website and check out their holiday gift guide, which has eleven wonderful ideas for gifts that give back (and yes, Purple Leaves, Red Cherries is one of those gifts – number 8!).

Also if you have a favorite gift that might interest our readers and also gives back, please list it in the comments. I’d love to share your knowledge with our readers.

]]> http://purpleleavesredcherries.com/blog/gifts-for-new-moms-that-also-give-back/feed/ 0 http://purpleleavesredcherries.com/blog/5-ways-to-rediscover-you-while-surrounded-by-diapers-milk-and-a-sea-of-fatigue/ http://purpleleavesredcherries.com/blog/5-ways-to-rediscover-you-while-surrounded-by-diapers-milk-and-a-sea-of-fatigue/#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:50 +0000 Tania Elfersy http://purpleleavesredcherries.com/?p=2558 In the introduction to Purple Leaves, Red Cherries, Andrea and I wrote:

“Looking back, we now understand that becoming a mother required a radical reinvention; we not only held a new baby, we owned a new identity. Motherhood demanded that we change in complex ways; no part of our lives was left untouched. We slowly redefined who we were – to ourselves and to others.”

With this in mind, I am delighted to welcome Stacy Boegem to our Awesome Tips for New Moms series. Stacy is a Certified Coach Practitioner and the author of the “Happy Mama Manifesto: Guiding Principles for Dynamic, Fulfilled and Vibrant Modern Moms.”

Below Stacey has offered some excellent tips to help rediscover YOU in early motherhood.

5 Ways to Rediscover YOU While Surrounded by Diapers, Milk and a Sea of Fatigue.

As much as you planned and prepared, and thought you had a good handle on what to expect once your little one arrived, your level of exhaustion still seems to be way beyond anything you thought imaginable, or what you remember going through the last time around.

You’re madly in love with your new baby, and you’ve embraced your new role as mama to your little bundle of love. You’ve surrendered any proprietary interest you once had of your bosom, and you’re trying to learn to love your new “muffin top” for now, until things settle down and you can focus on getting your body back.

You’ve become so accustomed to your pregnancy brain that these days it doesn’t even bother you when your new mommy brain can’t think of the word for that machine that washes dishes.

You know that this phase is, well, a phase, so you’re not getting too stressed out about it, but you do wish you could at least sorta kinda feel a little bit like yourself again, even if only for a couple of minutes.

When you’re surrounded by diapers, milk, and a sea of fatigue, rediscovering YOU takes a conscious intention to create space in your life for YOU.

The good news is rediscovering YOU while you’re navigating the new mama terrain is totally doable.

1. Get dressed.

Ever heard anyone say they felt like a million bucks wearing a stained nursing bra, maternity sweats, an oversized college t-shirt, greasy hair, and spit-up?

Just the littlest thing you can do to “put yourself together” can go a long way when it comes to feeling like yourself. So even if you’re not going anywhere today, put on a little lip gloss, throw on a pair of pretty earrings… whatever it is for you that does the trick and makes you feel more like you – do it.

2. Make a new mom friend.

Pack up that little baby and get your butt out of the house. Go to a local Mommy & Me group and connect with another new mom in your community. Make a date to hang out. Talk about your babies, but also try to get a sense of who she is other than being a mom. And share who you are.

Keep it real. No one will understand any better what it’s like to be you right now than another mom in the same stage of the journey. Don’t underestimate the power of these connections.

3. Break free from baby and home, and go do something you enjoy ALONE.

Even a 10-minute walk around your neighborhood can do the trick. The idea is to create and hold space for you to breathe deeply, reflect on the beauty and joy in your life, ponder all that for which you have to be grateful, and just be. This meditative time offers peace, clarity, and supports your feeling of contentment and wellness. When you get out of your head and into your heart, you realize you don’t need to do any rediscovering – you’ve been right there all along. You just needed to show up to YOU and listen to your heart.

4. If you have a partner, prioritize your partnership.

Since your partner doesn’t have the same immediate demands as your baby, it can be easy to downgrade their needs to a very low priority. It’s virtually unavoidable. But for many of us, our connection with our partner has a lot to do with how we got into this situation, right? Our connection with our partner often draws out so much of what makes us – us. So even if it’s just committing to a consistent bedtime routine for your little one so you can have an hour of TV time with your partner, do it. Make it a priority to nurture your romantic relationship so it can continue to thrive, evolve, and breathe. After all, you are more than a mother, you are a woman.

5. Create

While you may not have time to take up a crafting hobby, you do have opportunities throughout the day to open the channels for creative juices to flow. Whether it’s making up songs to sing to your little one, experimenting with blending fruit purees for your little one, or writing in a journal, the experience of creating elevates our sense of clarity, power, competence, and overall energy. Stop telling yourself you’re not creative. Just create. It doesn’t have to be good. Creating is good even it’s just for the sake of creating.

Most importantly, allow yourself to truly indulge in this time. It’s true what they say – you won’t get it back. So whatever it is that you most love about it, indulge in it full force. Be in the moment and be joyful with it. The more joy you experience, the more love and laughter you put into mothering, the more rewarding it will be, the happier you will feel, and the more you will feel like you. Oh – and when that little demon guilt tries to sneak up on you – let her know you have no room for her in your life – you’re busy being the best mom can you be.

Is there something special that you did to rediscover YOU while in the deep end of early motherhood? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section.

Stacy Boegem created The Happiness Agenda to support and inspire modern moms to live joyfully and on their own terms.  Stacy provides one-on-one coaching packages and group workshops that propel clients into living the life they truly desire for themselves.  From relaunching a career, to finding your calling, to getting through the day’s to-do’s with joy, Stacy’s coaching takes the stress and overwhelm out of the equation and ignites the inner fire to get her clients living like they mean it. To learn more, and to get a free copy of Stacy’s Happy Mama Manifesto, visit www.stacyboegem.com.

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5 Ways to Rediscover YOU While Surrounded by Diapers, Milk and a Sea of Fatigue