What's the vibe today . . .

Mommy time

Close your eyes and allow yourself to imagine the next three hours on your own – your family is well cared for, the sun is shining, and the opportunities are endless. What would you do for yourself in those three hours?

Beyond pedicures

Perhaps when you think of self-care, you have visions of a pedicure, massage, or yoga class. Indeed, physical self-care is a big part of the overall picture. But eliminating critical thinking, not over-scheduling, releasing the need to be perfect, saying no, refusing to do things out of guilt and giving yourself much-needed rest and downtime to refuel are also integral to self-care.

Mothering ourselves

Most of us would never imagine denying our children of sleep or nourishment, being judgmental of them or allowing them to ignore their emotional needs. Yet, as mothers, we do this to ourselves on a daily basis. The same love, gentle care and compassion we offer so generously to our little ones should be extended to ourselves as well. Modeling self-love and self-acceptance is the most effective way to have a powerful impact on a child’s self-esteem and how they view themselves.

The power of self-care

Almost any mother will share how pervasive ideals like good mothers always put their families first and good mothers are completely selfless abound in our society. These beliefs run deep – even if they’re not on a conscious level and you don’t buy into them – and can have a profound impact on how we view our roles as mothers and women. Self-care is not about pampering. It’s about self-worth and honouring the person you are.

The journey to making your self-care a priority (and understanding how life altering it can be) doesn’t happen overnight. Many women who initially equate self-care with selfishness may require a shift in thinking to make this an everyday practice. Be gentle, compassionate and understanding with yourself, and know that you are doing the best you can day by day.

An excerpt from The Mothers Guide to Self-Renewal, by Renee Trudeau. If you are ready to deepen your experience of self-care as a mother, join a Personal Renewal Group with Mama Renew. New groups begin monthly. To learn more, visit www.mamarenew.ca.

B.C. archives | Calgary archives

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Westcoast Baby sale

It’s your last chance to pick up some of the great toddler kimonos and pants for your little one by Westcoast Baby as they will no longer be making them. Check out their sale selection and buy funky clothing for unbelievable prices. In addition, they are offering FREE shipping for orders over $50 for the month of November. Visit their website at www.westcoastbaby.com today!

Tiny Gem sale

Online store Tinygem.ca is having a sale. Check out great items on clearance, including cloth diapers, fitted crib sheets, baby food making kits and more. They also offer free shipping for Calgary-based customers and free shipping for customers in the rest of Canada on orders over $250.

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