What's the vibe today . . .

When I’m a mom . . .

by Sarah Juliusson

“When I’m a mom, I’ll…”, and so it began. We all once held an image of the mother we would be. Perhaps we envisioned that somehow we’d do a better job than others we had witnessed at finding balance our lives. We would love our children wholeheartedly and still nurture ourselves.

Fast forward

Here we are, months or years later, giving to our children, partners, home, and work, and wondering how on earth to find the time and energy to give to ourselves. The fascinating thing about self-care is that by giving to ourselves, we are better able to give to others. Why then, do we so often set self-care aside? We all know the reasons for self-care, and yet so many of us find it to be a real challenge to choose to engage in something that is purely for us.

Reconnect, reclaim, and rebalance

In her book The Mothers Guide to Self-Renewal, Renee Trudeau asks us, “What do you need to live, love, and parent optimally?” Allow yourself some quiet time this month to reconnect with yourself and consider the above question carefully. What do you need for you? What does self-care encompass? Consider all elements of self-care: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. What would it look like if you were to live, love, and parent optimally?

Choose one simple thing you can do this month to reconnect with yourself. Visit a favourite café with your journal. Take a walk in the woods. Make a phone call to an old dear friend. Pick up that project you began way back when . . . . Small steps add up. Each dose of self-care enriches our perspective on ourselves and motherhood, and allows us to engage in busy family life with a strong inner foundation.

Sharing in the journey

It is not easy to give to ourselves, and sharing in the journey with other mothers is a tremendous gift. Supporting one another not only enhances our vision of what is possible, but also gives us the inspiration we need to expand into living more fully. Perhaps then our image of motherhood will transform with a new mantra: “Now that I’m a mom, I . . . .”

Sarah Juliusson is the mother of two young boys, and co-founder of Mama Renew, offering self-renewal groups for experienced mothers, and Mothers Unfolding for new mothers and babies. As a working mother, she is forever seeking new ways to expand her circle of support and find balance so that she can give more fully to herself, her family, and the community. To learn more about Mama Renew, visit www.mamarenew.ca.

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Illustration by Emilie Vanvolsem

Halloween photo contest - B.C.

Bring your wizards, witches and fairies for a photo session at Bopomo Pictures in Vancouver and enter to win their costume contest for a chance to win one of three $100 gift certificates. The contest ends Oct. 31. For more details visit Bopomo.

Natural Pod sale - B.C.

Check out Natural Pod’s new products, including house/kitchen play items, baby wooden bowls and rattles, finger puppets, natural dolls and more, in person at their sale on Thursday, Oct. 18. All of their items are safe, non-toxic, educational and most importantly fun. The sale will be held at Vancouver Waldorf School, Early Childhood Centre, 2725 St. Christophers Rd., North Vancouver, noon to 3 p.m.

Natural Pod also offers pre-ordering online at www.naturalpod.com . If you place your order by noon, Wednesday Oct. 17, you can pick up at this event. Just select 'pick up at next event' at check out. This is a great option for those who have limited time. For more information, please visit www.naturalpod.com or e-mail info@naturalpod.com.

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