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How to balance your mother load
Carly Cooper, author and life coach for moms, offers busy, stressed-out moms ways to get back in touch with who they really are by attending to how they feel.
Do you consider yourself lucky when you have time to shave both legs?
Are you having a more intimate relationship with your smart phone than your spouse?
Do you look forward to your annual pap just to have some “me” time?
If you can relate to this, you’re not alone. So many moms neglect themselves and their well-being because they think it’s the only way to take care of their family. After all, isn’t that what a “good mom” does?
What most moms have in common is that we all had expectations of what we thought motherhood was going to be like. If you’re like most moms, you found out (a little too late) that it’s much harder than what you envisioned.
Let’s get one thing straight — you love your kids. You wouldn’t trade them or the experience of motherhood for anything (although some days it may be tempting!). But this gig is tough and at times, the most thankless job in the world. So it’s okay to admit that you don’t always love the experience. And it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom when you feel this way.
Moms say they want to be a good role model for their kids. Yet many are putting their dreams on hold and are just going through the motions of life. And being a balanced, fulfilled, and happy mom begins with understanding where you are now, what your major struggles are, and how you can positively change the things that aren’t working for you. Then, it means taking serious action on it.
As a way to address the most common challenges that many moms face, I've created the eight-week R.E.I.N.V.E.N.T. System ™ to help moms start to take care of themselves again, to make themselves a priority by rediscovering who they are and figuring out what they really want out of life.
The eight hot topics that are covered in my book, Balance the Mother Load: R.E.I.N.V.E.N.T. Your Life in Just 8 Weeks!, are:
- Redefine Motherhood
- Envision Your Ideal Life
- Improve your Relationships
- Nurture Yourself
- Vanquish Mommy Guilt
- Expectation Overhaul
- Nix Negativity Now
- Time Management Tune Up
My book gives you practical advice, tips, strategies and hands-on exercises that show you exactly how to become the best woman and mom you can by learning to be a happier and more fulfilled person. You’ll learn to have more freedom, more sanity and more time to enjoy it all. And couldn’t we all use some more of that?
GIVEAWAY: Want to receive a copy of Carly's book? Tell us how you would spend an afternoon alone in the comments below!
*Giveaway closes Thursday, July 5, 11:59 p.m.
To be awarded on a first come first served basis to those who leave a comment below, until inventory is depleted. Quantities are limited at the discretion of Rogers. You must be a Canadian resident, 18 years or older, excluding residents of Quebec. No cash value.
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Kristin Akler (not verified) says ....
I would love to go to the beach with a chair and a good book. I love to read while listening to the waves.
jammer says ....
I would love to read a great book, get my nails done and have a nice long relaxing bath maybe followed by a short nap
Guest_157935 says ....
I would read this book and then hopefully have a relaxing nap:)
Mummymates (not verified) says ....
Pool time! Just me....no water wings!
yourmomgoestocollege says ....
That is easy! I would enjoy quiet time followed by going to see Magic Mike! There is nothing a topless Channing Tatum can't fix!
Tabuu2 says ....
I'd probably start reading this book. Then I'd spend some time on a writing course that I began a while ago. I'm sure it wouldn't be long before I'd start missing the kidlets...
Bonnie (not verified) says ....
Long walk alone then read a book!
hollylanger says ....
An afternoon alone would be a great help for me. I would be able to clean without the mess getting bigger and the distraction of my kids. If i had the time after cleaning i would take the time to shower before 2am lol theres no such thing as me time in my house, but i sure wish there was so i could at least take a shower without feeling guilty because my kids are crying the whole time. sigh
Hippo Mom of 2 says ....
First, I would make myself a nice pot of earl grey tea with lemon & honey. Then, I would curl up in bed with a good romance novel. After relaxing with the tea, I would take a quiet nap and hopefully fall asleep blissfully. I've been woken up so many times with the kids that now, I just jump out of bed at the slightest sound..........................
Arlene (not verified) says ....
Wow, I have to fight with my spouse for TRUE alone time that doesnt involve cleaning up after him and everyhting else...needless to say it rarely happens at all!...Id love to acually complete a degree I gave up for my new family over 4 years ago...Id love to get back into dance and Yoga so Im not in excruciating back pain anymore!....
Guest_248937 says ....
Either sipping on a coffee and reading a good book, or sipping on a coffee and writing a good book:-)) Alternatively, I would go for a good run, something I haven't done in a few years since having my kids!
aworobetz says ....
Watch TV and RELAX!
kdandmg@yahoo.ca says ....
I would eat chocolate and take a nap!
Jan (not verified) says ....
I would go for a run on the beach, and then head to a yoga class. After a shower, I would then put my feet up on the porch and enjoy a cool drink!
Mandy (not verified) says ....
I would read a book, take a nap under a shaded tree and and be very grateful...then I would order out for dinner so as not to undo the benefits of a lovely afternoon...
Brigitte (not verified) says ....
I would sleep in, then have a nice quiet uniterrupted breakfast and coffee out on the deck. Then a relaxing bath with mud mask before getting ready for the day!
Cheryl (not verified) says ....
I would sleep in!!! :)
Froggy277 says ....
An afternoon alone! Wow that would be great! I think I would catch up on some well needed sleep and then enjoy a nice spa treatment to relieve all that accumulated tension... oh, how good would that be!
Guest_289846 says ....
Sorry about the "Guest" name - I have no idea how to change it!
If I had an afternoon alone, the first thing I would do is have a nap! Then I would go for a nice long walk along the nature trail nearby (without having to stop every 30s for flowers/bugs/rocks/etc!), and find a shady spot to read. And I think I would finish it off with a long relaxing bubble bath.
I think I'd like an afternoon alone with my husband, with a similar plan, as much as I'd like an afternoon alone though!
Beth McCann (not verified) says ....
I have needed this book for the last 19 years!!
Donna (not verified) says ....
I would get a well needed pedicure and massage....then curl up with a good book and hopefully drift into quiet slumber if only for 15 mins...heaven...sigh
Denise (not verified) says ....
I would love to go have lunch and get a pedicure with a friend if I had an afternoon alone or just by myself or go to the movies.
Yves (not verified) says ....
If I was alone for an afternoon. I would give myself a mani and pedi, then paint nails blue. I will follow that with sipping coFfee in my room, on my bed, trying to finish reading a book on my iPad.
Julie Momof3 (not verified) says ....
Wow....an afternoon alone. What a concept. To be honest, I would flounder for about 1/2 hour wondering what to do with myself. Then I would probably take myself to my local coffee shop and just sit and watch the world go by. You really miss that when you're chasing after 3 little ones. Then, I would go and do some retail therapy! Bliss!
lorikobza@yahoo.ca says ....
If I had an afternoon alone I would like to sit. just sit outside and be. be nothing. do nothing. just look at the sky or the trees or the water.
But to be honest after about an hour of that I'd be feeling guilty about not doing something so I'd probably pick up a book and read. Or I'd sit and watch all those TV shows I've got on the PVR - those ones that are on at 10pm or anytime on W Network. Or actually any show where you actually have to watch and listen.
Nina Kastner (not verified) says ....
I would probably start my afternoon with a massage. I would then love to go horseback riding or maybe do some ballet. I would finish my afternoon by crocheting or reading curled up in bed.