In my absence today, I'd like you to meet my uber talented friend, Molly. She's not only an exceptional writer that I've come to follow on a regular basis, but she's also a Bradley Method Childbirth Educator with a wealth of knowledge regarding pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, baby and parenting.
Please welcome Molly to All My Happy Endings. Show her a little love by leaving a comment or asking her a question at the end of this blog post.
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10. Wear Maxi Dresses
In the warm (sweltering – if you live in
Texas) summer months, what better way to keep your style low key and
effortlessly chic, with a flowy maxi dress.
Both fashionable and stylish no leg shaving is required! The longer the
better to cover un-manicured toes too. Not
to mention when the self-tanning goes awry, call in your maxi dress for full
coverage. For many mothers, myself
included, showering is a lost art.
Finding time to shave your legs is a luxury reserved only for date
night. Enjoy my tip and worry no more;
the maxi dress will cover up your secrets.
9. Listen to Books on Audio
Whether you borrow books from the library,
listen to podcasts or subscribe to Audible this is the best way to tidy-up the
house at the end of the day. When all my
kids are asleep, my home is left looking ransacked – the culprits, my
children. Of course, we all know I
should involve them in the clean up process, instilling responsibility, pride
and leadership. However, sometimes (okay most days) it’s easier to just do it
myself and avoid the arguments, relentless stalling and subpar results. Diving into the fictitious world of Liane
Moriarty’s latest mystery, reveling in the real life suspense of Serial or feeling
inspired by Sandberg’s “Lean In” rhetoric can enhance the relentless tidying, wiping,
folding… and repeat.
8. Call Your Grandparents
There is nothing more grounding than
catching up with your grandparents. If
they are no longer with us call an older cousin, aunt or uncle. Touching base with your parents can be
compounded with strings and baggage, but grandparents are there to smother and
love. After talking to my grandparents I
am invigorated by their wise anecdotes and encouraging words. I feel youthful and rejuvenated with a sense
of where I came from which helps me navigate where I’m going in my role as a
mother.
7. Give In To Your Coffee Habit
If you’re working on a family financial
budget, often one of the first suggestions for cutting back is to do away with
coffee expenses. I beg to differ. My coffee habit is for the safety of my
family and therefore supersedes any budgetary restrictions. Without coffee I can’t communicate, drive, let
alone parent so therefore take my advice, drink up. It’s for your family’s safety.
6. Find Something You Love Outside of Motherhood
and Pursue It
I recently became a Certified Bradley
Method® of Natural Childbirth Educator and this has actually provided me with more
energy. The buzz I get from coffee pales
in comparison to the adrenaline rush I experience from teaching. This type of energy is deeply rooted in my
soul, igniting a vitality that I thought I lost in the sea of sleepless nights
and unyielding demands of motherhood.
5. Just Say Yes
When a friend offers to bring over dinner
or your in-laws want to babysit, just say yes.
If your spouse suggests you sleep in or offers to fold the laundry, let
him and let go of control. It may not be
done to your exact specifications but it can help immeasurably. This is guaranteed to make you a happier and
more patient mom, at least for a few hours.
4. Get to Know You Neighbors
We live in the suburbs and really do have
the ideal relationship with our neighbors.
Whether I need to borrow an egg or I am in need of wine and girl talk,
our neighbors are unfaltering. I lose my
keys on a regular basis and the neighbors have saved us every time. Thank you
to them for unlocking the spirit of community.
3. Stop Comparing
This applies when comparing mother-to-mother
and child-to-child. But the more
damaging of the two is when moms compare their children to other children. Every child is different and every child has
their strengths. Of course, as parents
we need to be aware of our child’s developmental milestones. But comparing their abilities like walking or
talking to other kids their age is only creating an unhealthy competitive
atmosphere. This can undervalue your
child’s intrinsic strengths and emphasize what they have not yet learned as
opposed to what abilities they already posses.
It is beneficial to feel inspired by other kids’ achievements and
introduce new goals for your child but we must value our children as
individuals with their own agendas.
2. Lose Your Pride
Perhaps I am an over sharer and therefore
I would benefit from some refinement, but not at the expense of losing my
authenticity. It is essential to be
honest with both yourself and others. What
is the point of perpetuating a disingenuous life? Be real, faults and all. I remind myself often of the quote, “Those who
mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
1 1. Exercise
Spend 30 minutes a day doing
something outdoors that gets your endorphins pumping. If running feels impossible start by walking,
if walking is too high impact, swim. My 97-year-old
grandfather exercises every day and if that isn’t enough of a testament I don’t
know what is.
