Hey mama friend,
It's nearing the busiest time of year and I thought it would be fitting to encourage you with some practical tips on how to thrive in motherhood, rather than just survive (because we all want that).
But first...
Have you checked out my Christmas Gift Guide for low toxic/eco-conscious mamas?!
I have curated the perfect guide with some of my favourite truly clean products for mamas AND children on Amazon.
I have ensured that there are various price ranges to fit every budget and have only placed items in there that I KNOW mamas will find valuable as a gift (cleaning products included ;))
Click here to visit the guide and a big thank you for supporting my business if you decide to purchase anything. It means more to me than you know! :)
How can we truly thrive as mothers in a world that demands we merely survive?
Okay, let me just disclose that I absolutely despise the notion that as mothers, we should just be able to survive to get through the day.
Sure, there are days when I am just getting by, but most of the time, it is due to consequences I have permitted. Like, leaving the playdate too late, way past my toddler's nap time. Or allowing my kids watch a little too much tv and having to deal with some unwelcome attitude in the afternoon.
I believe as mamas, we truly can thrive. It takes some work along the way, but it's so worth it.
I was listening to a podcast episode by one of my favourite Christian motherhood influencers, Abbie Halberstadt, who shared about the power of consistency in parenting.
She said something profound, "you can choose to deal with the hard now and it be easy later, or you can choose to prolong dealing with the hard and it get harder later."
Abbie was referring mainly to discipline here, but I absolutely agree that if we choose to deal with the hard things now, whether it be disciplining our children or waking up early to exercise or choosing to eat more whole foods and less fast foods as a family, then it really will be easier in the long run.
Can you relate?
As mothers, we get to a tipping point and it's hard to deal with the hard at that moment. But what if you didn't get to that tipping point in the first place?
5 Tips to truly thriving in motherhood...
- Be honest with yourself about the season you are in.
If you are pregnant or newly postpartum, then please be kind to yourself. Thriving in this season may mean doing the bare minimum and giving yourself and your family some extra grace.
If you are a mama of littles, then remember that this time is often physically demanding. This may mean that you need to carve out some down time for yourself. When the littles are napping (or if they have outgrown their naps, I highly recommend room time where they play by themselves in their room for an hour or so), then this is time for you to rest or do something that will fill your cup.
If you are a working mama, then make sure to take out some time for yourself on the weekends or evenings to fill your cup up again. Even just two hours makes a world of a difference.
2. Create structure or rhythms in your week.
This has been a gamechanger for me as a mama. I have ensured that we have at least two home days during the week, for me to hone in on homeschooling, housework and give the kids a lot of time to play and be themselves without others around.
If you have little to no structure to your week, then you will burn out quickly. Don't back down or feel like you need to justify your structure to others. Of course, leave some room for flexibility, but have non-negotiables that will give you more peace in your home.
3. Have a good morning routine.
When your mornings are a win, it sets your day up for success. I have learned this the hard way.
If you had little to no sleep because of a newborn or toddler who kept waking up, then leave the housework and focus on making yourself a cup of tea or going for a walk to reset.
If you have to get to work or get kids to school, then if you can, wake up a little earlier than usual to fit in some devotional time or time for yourself. Having the house quiet to yourself does wonders to your mind and body.
4. Nourish you and your family.
This goes without saying coming from me, but choosing good foods over the quick and easy is always worth it, even if it means a little more prep work.
When my kids eat more junk foods than usual, I am paying for it at bed time. When they are eating well and I am eating well throughout the day, there's a contentment in the home that I can't deny.
5. Find time to delight in your kiddos.
This may seem like a weird one. But I can't tell you how much it fills my heart to sit down with a cup of tea in hand and watch my kids play. If they ask me to join them, I make sure I do even if it's just for 10 minutes.
If your child loves quality time, this will fill their cup up too. But even just sitting there, watching them play, commenting on how much I loved seeing them do this or play this way, brings such delight to me and delight to them for their mama taking time to be present with them.
I hope these tips helped bring a bit of perspective to your life, mama friend.
It's a busy time of year. Remember to leave time to sit still, breathe, reflect and fill your cup the way you know best.
You'll be better for it.
All my love,
Jess x
