What you've got to do to be mother of the year

What do you have to do to be mother of the year? The answer may surprise you and it all lies in a simple form of self care. 

​You have to take care of YOU. Sleep when the baby sleeps. You can’t pour from an empty glass. You deserve a break. YOU DO YOU, BOO.....

​Okay, maybe the last one isn’t said as much BUT I really like saying it and it at least kind of fits. Either way, we hear a lot of this as parents (especially on the really rough days), but what does taking care of yourself really mean? My Instagram will tell me moms take care of themselves by getting a pedicure or wearing one of those bubble face masks. I personally like to take baths, wear face masks, and buy fancy eye creams. Soooo relaxing. But is that REALLY self care?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news...... I really do. BUT I have to burst your bubble bath bubbles for a second here and give you a hard truth. That's not self care. It's nice, but it's not truly self care. Self care has another layer to it, and it's something that helps your whole self, and revitalizes you body, mind, and soul..... it's not superficial.... and as nice as face masks are they're only skin deep. Pun fully intended here. 

So, if you want to know what true self care really looks like.... and to learn how you can transform your own motherhood journey to be happier, healthier, and a better mom overall.... with one really simple trick... then read on! 

Hey there! My name is Kelly Maher Carvell, CLC, CLE.
I offer effective telehealth lactation support and education to modern families.  
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When you're done with this post check out our other most popular blogs!
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I totally did some of this "self care" the other day. My little one was practically hysterical if I wasn’t holding him which meant I got nothing else done. My husband came home hungry so we ended up going out for Thai food. I spent the whole day comforting my poor, cranky baby, but I couldn’t help but think of allll the stuff I didn’t get to. I was feeling stressed, exhausted, and embarrassed I didn’t get to dinner on time yet again. To make myself feel a little better and treat myself to holding a 20 lb baby for hours, I decided to take a bath after my son went to sleep.

BUT- What happens after we use these quick fix "self care" treatments? I know I personally feel refreshed for a short while, but I don’t feel the effects of my bath for very long.

​I love every quiet minute of not being touched, but it has zero effect on my mood beyond maybe 30 minutes. Does that mean we should all stop doing these things? Of course not. YOU DO YOU, BOO (see, I totally made it work). But we should all look into self care that goes beyond this and can actually help us have more positive, happier lives. 

This is where a recent guest on the podcast can help us! Lisa Graft, founder of ‘I am Mother of the Year’, sat down with our very own Successful Breastfeeding Founder, Kelly Maher Carvell, to discuss her movement to empower mothers through celebrating ALL of our wins and how this lifestyle of TRUE self-care leads to a much happier, healthier outlook on life.

She shared her journey of how her movement began, what’s it done for her life, and how you can do the same WITH STICKERS. Yes, I totally said stickers. They’re amazing and you should check them out along with the rest of her website after you listen to this podcast.

Take a listen to the episode now, and when you're done tell me the #1 thing you got from this in the comments below.
Of course make sure you subscribe to the Successful Breastfeeding Podcast so you never miss an episode. 

Take Me to the Episode!

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Learn more about Lisa Graft, and the I Am Mother of the Year Movement right here: https://www.iammotheroftheyear.com/
Get her I am Mother of the Year Stickers here: https://www.iammotheroftheyear.com/stickers/mother-of-the-year-kid-stickers
And of course, the gorgeous "What's True About You" journal right here: https://www.iammotheroftheyear.com/stickers/journal

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Lisa Graft, Founder of Mother of the Year

Author

Kaitlyn is one of the awesome team members at Successful Breastfeeding. When Kaitlyn isn't working with the Successful Breastfeeding experts you can find her being mamma to her adorable son.

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Hi! Thanks for reading my blog post today! I can't wait to read your comments.