As multi-tasking moms, often times we put ourselves last on the list. As Teri Hatcher wrote in her best-selling book, Burnt Toast, the matriarch of the family often has a tendency to say, ‘please take the good toast and leave burnt piece for me.’ Everyone else’s needs come first, and ours second.
When people ask me what do for a living, I usually say, “I’m a fashion writer and blogger”. More often than not, this is followed up with, “oh, you are a mom blogger?” The thing is, being a mom isn’t what defines me or my dress sense. I’m an entrepreneur and fashion blogger, and I happen to be a mom. To me being fashionable doesn’t stop being an option when you have kids. If you had a sense of style before, it’s still there, just a little dormant now.
This car positively purrs and it a fantastic ‘mom-mobile’. The BMW X5 is roomy and offers a ton of family-friendly features that make it a great option if your bank account can handle the hefty price tag.
Twins? I wish. I’ve always been likened to Kristen Davis, and once a guy on the street asked me out by saying that I looked like ‘Sex and the City’s’ Charlotte. He struck out, however, as I would rather have been told that I was a spectacular actor like ‘Sex and the City’s’ Kristen Davis. I had the opportunity to meet the new mother and icon on Friday, August 3rd, when she attended the launch event for Zarbee’s new all natural extra strength line of cough products for adults and children 12 and up at The Kimberly Hotel. The luncheon focused on keeping healthy as a mom while balancing work and life.
Hosted by Liz Gumbinner of Mom 101 and Cool Mom Picks, the event celebrated individuals that are an inspiration to their families and communities and I was lucky to have been interviewed by fellow Canadian Janice Croze of 5 Minutes For Mom. We spoke of work/life balance and the challenges of making healthy choices for our children.
On the question of balance, I shared that the word seems like a moving target. Not only does it seem unattainable, but the concept puts too much pressure on mothers. It’s like a constant benchmark imposed by society and we are always falling short. Surely that’s not healthy. Some days we’ll be with our families for a disproportionate amount of time, baking bread and playing blocks. (Ok maybe just the block part). Other days we’ll spend a long day at the office. Are either of these choices wrong if ‘balance’ isn’t struck on a daily or hourly basis? I don’t think so. I think that moms need to be kinder to themselves and look at balance from a more macro perspective.
Asked about health, I laughed. Feeling like ‘Mom of the Century’, I admitted that my kids play in a ton of dirt outside and I don’t really keep my house very clean. Shhh. Hopefully that’s why they are rarely ill! I tend to get sick a bit more than they do.
I have used Zarbees products in the past – especially because they are available at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. I have also ‘borrowed’ the kids’ medicines when I have been ill, as I prefer the natural choices, and, well, I have found that they actually work. Miraculously using dark honeys, zinc and vitamins, Zarbee’s is drug, alcohol, dye and gluten free.
Having just closed her Broadway run of The Best Man, Kristen expertly managed her motherhood and career while keeping everyone healthy. You can’t really call in sick on Broadway! Here are her Healthy Tips for New Moms:
- Eat Right: Prepare healthy meals and snacks (like brown rice) when you have a few minutes so you can throw it in the refrigerator and have something healthy on hand when you get the chance to eat.
- Go Natural: Rely on natural products you can trust, especially when you get sick. You can’t be at your best when you feel terrible! I love Zarbee’s because it’s an all natural product that helps with coughs and allergies without making me drowsy.
- Make Time for Yourself: It is hectic being a mom so try to carve out some “me” time during the day – even just a minute to breathe and assess what you need so you can be at your best for your baby.
Disclosure: UrbanMommies was hosted for lunch and received samples of Zarbees products for review.
Now’s a great time to get organized, and one thing that should never be put off is the creation of your home emergency kit. You and your kids can use the opportunity to plan escape routes, compile vital information and pull out the globe to talk about parts of the world that are currently experiencing natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, drought and fire. You could even use the opportunity to practice charitable giving by sorting out piggy bank funds and making a donation to a group who is currently in need. After your kit is assembled, make sure everyone in the family knows where it is located and every time you take something out, be sure to put it back.
1. Large waterproof box to store these supplies
2. First aid kit: at least two pairs of latex gloves, sterile gauze pads, scissors, tweezers, adhesive bandages, pain relievers, cold medications, antiseptic cream, alcohol wipes, cleansing agent, burn ointment, thermometer, eye wash, prescription medication (if anyone in the family uses one daily with dosage information), allergy medication, and a first aid manual.
3. Swiss army knife
4. Gas-powered camp stove
5. Sanitizing Hand wipes
6. Paper towels
7. Simple puzzles/card games
8. Non perishable food: granola bars, canned juices, soup, bottled water, peanut butter, crackers – most experts recommend enough for the whole family for 3 days but we upped it to a week to be on the safe side.
9. Plates, utensils, other feeding supplies (pots)
10. Heavy work gloves
11. Self-powered flashlights with extra batteries
12. Self-powered radio
13. Maps
14. Paper, pen, permanent marker
15. Emergency blanket or sleeping bag
16. Large heavy duty plastic bag
17. Personal hygiene items: toilet paper, feminine supplies, oral care
18. Extra keys to house and vehicle
19. Duct tape, plastic sheet, tools, bungee cords, rope
20. Old prescription glasses
21. Rain poncho
22. Copy of important documents and phone numbers
23. Whistle, dust mask
24. Emergency cash
25. Loveys or comfort objects for the kids
26. Mace
27. Candles and waterproof matches
28. Insect Repellant
29. Suntan Lotion
30. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
31. Solar cell phone charger
32. Manual can-opener
Ask any parent about the most difficult part of having a baby and we are willing to bet that SLEEP will be among the top three. Our handy sleep tracker chart can at least help you to figure out when sleep is happening, and if there are any trends towards lengthier slumber! We have a ton of articles on sleep as well if you need some guidance. Baby Sleep Tracker
Q – My lips are chapped and dry and I’m sick of just wearing lip balm. Can you recommend a gloss that will help with my dry lips?
As excited as new moms are about the birth of their baby, they also can’t believe the body that’s been left behind. Our round, voluptuous body that seemed so beautiful while pregnant is completely transformed! What makes matters worse is that new moms 1) don’t have time to do traditional exercise and 2) shouldn’t be dieting.
Q – I am 2 ½ months pregnant and for some reason I have an increased amount of acne. I don’t normally suffer from it and it has been just since I have become pregnant that it is happening. Is there something that I can do to reduce it?