Blog

Are you ready to love yourself and love your life but you’re wrestling with your inner mean girl? I am sharing 5 simple steps I use to love myself and my life.

We have 50,000 thoughts a day and 80% are negative. Negative thoughts are as natural as breathing. I use to beat myself up for every mistake I made as a mum and criticise myself constantly. My inner mean girl would take over and make me second guess everything I did as a mum. I would never be so disrespectful and speak to my own kids or a friend in the same way as my inner mean girl would talk to me.

Over the past several years I have been using these 5 simple steps to love yourself and your life. These steps felt natural, down-to-earth, and easy. I am now more in control of that inner mean girl, who only occasionally appears from time to time.

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com

Simple steps to love yourself and your life

1. Knowing what was important to me has helped to protect me from the influences of others. The things that are important to me are my family, health and respect. These things have helped me simplify my decision-making, minimize stress and help me love myself and my life. I am constantly reminded of my values because I have written them down in my diary and also saved them on my phone. What are the 3 things that are most important to you?

2. I have used the VIA character survey and the Gallup strength test to identify my unique strengths. Focusing on my strengths has allowed me to align my career and hobbies. My life is easier and more enjoyable now. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?

3. I now take time out from thinking. My mind needs rest and time to wind down. I still find this very difficult because I love to learn new things. Learning fills my cup and replenishes my energy. I have to set goals around this to keep me accountable and I constantly remind myself of the importance of rest. When do you schedule rest to show how much you love yourself?

4. My gratitude practice is to rub a mixture of essential oils and coconut oil on my body after a shower at night. I thank my body for the work it has done for me that day. It is a great way to feel calmer, happier and more connected to yourself. How could you incorporate gratitude for the work your body has done into your day?

5. I use a positive affirmation on my mirror to remind me that I am enough. No need to do or be anything more. When I look in the mirror in the morning I also say something I love about myself. I am reinforcing positive things about myself so I can reprogram my brain to love myself and increase my confidence. What do you love about yourself?

What simple step would you like to start using in your life to love yourself more? I would love to hear which one is your favourite.

Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour is a held once a month. It will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.

Essential oils are safe, effective, affordable and easy to use in your home to help calm the chaos. They are made up of pure extracts from plants. The scents from essential oils produce different effects on the nervous system. They stimulate the body’s immune response and have various healing properties.

Essential oils can be diluted in fractionated coconut oil and used in a roller bottle to apply to your chest, back of your neck, wrists or feet for really quick results. A diffuser is a great way to inhale essential oils and can really calm the chaos in your home.

Essential Oils for every home

Peppermint

• calms the stomach and head tension

• increases alertness and focus

• cools the body

Lavender

• soothes irritated skin

• calms stings and bites

• soothes emotions

• supports sleep and breathing

Frankincense

• good for nourishing the blood and the brain

• good for aches and pains

• supports immunity

Lemon

• neutralises odour

• antioxidant and detoxifier

• elevates mood

Tea tree

• nourish the skin and scalp

• good for skin and mouth

• great for feet

• nourishes sores and rashes

Sarah is a kinesiologist for Free Me Kinesiologist she shared her tips for using essential oils to calm the chaos in your home. Her tips are really practical and simple to use.

Sarah Tynan, a kinesiologist for Free Me Kinesiologist has an undeniable love of alternative and preventative medicine such as essential oils. She is passionate about empowering herself with knowledge and sharing with others.  If you would like to find out more about Sarah and her work check out her website.

As a mum, I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right? So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).

What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.

Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour is a held once a month. It will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.

Mums are constantly putting their needs after everyone else’s because they feel guilty. This is the number 1 reason I hear from mums every day as a wellness coach. It is understandable why some many mums find it challenging to put themselves first and make time for self-care. Guilt is not a nice feeling. To deal with guilt we avoid things that cause it. No wonder so many mums struggle to incorporate self-care.

Why mums need self-care

1. You will feel calmer and more energized. When you are feeling overwhelmed with a to-do list as long as their arm your body goes into fight or flight mode which affects your health. You can’t think straight, your immune system shuts down, and your digestive system stops absorbing the nutrients it needs. If you can incorporate movement into your day you will decrease the feeling of stress and have more energy.

2. Your mood flows onto the whole family. Mums are the centre of most families if you are feeling happy then everyone around you will also. Happiness is contagious.

3. A happier, less stressed mum is more fun to be around. You really can’t be present with your kids or enjoy time with them if you are rushing and juggling too many things.

4. You are able to give again to those around you. Mums are constantly giving their time, energy, and patience. You can’t sustain the act of constantly giving. Eventually, that feeling of frustration and of being overwhelmed can push you to snap!

5. The number 1 reason mums need self-care is to be a great role model. When kids see you prioritizing yourself they will start to do the same. If we are always giving we are telling our kids that to love someone you need to sacrifice yourself and your wellbeing.

As a wellness coach and a mum to two kids, I know the importance of putting yourself first. I work with mums all the time that feel overwhelmed by having so much on their plate. I help them deal with the challenges and still be the best version of themselves. I have designed the Mums’ Revive Retreat so that you can start to put yourself first. Click here to find out more.

I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right? So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).

What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.

My kids are growing up in the era of the ‘super busy’ family. I remember thirty years ago when life was more relaxed and carefree. I don’t remember my parents ever using the word ‘busy’ to describe our lives. ‘Busy’ is the new epidemic of the modern family. Just ask any mum how she is and the first word she will use to describe her life is ‘busy’.

The secret to getting things done is planning and organisation. Having a system in place to follow helps to eliminate feeling overwhelmed and puts you back in the driving seat of your life. You will decrease brain clutter, start to prioritise what is important, feel calmer and improve your overall health.

Secrets of organisation

Allocate a small amount of time to organise your week. Make sure you have no distractions like phones. Have your to-do list with everything you need to do on it. Remember, it is a living document that you will ‘never’ complete. Now go through your list and apply one of the four actions:

• Do It- If it takes less than two minutes, do it now. You could schedule it for later, but it might take you a minute just to do that. Save yourself the hassle and do it now.

• Defer It- if it takes more than two minutes, and you’re the right person for the job, defer it. Put it on a list of things to do later or when you have more time. It is important to write it down so it is out of your head. Your brain doesn’t need to be continually trying to remember it.

• Delegate It- Who could be better suited to that job? Could you ask for help? Could you outsource and get someone else who would enjoy doing that much more than you would? Let’s play to our strengths and think collaboratively. For example:

Hire a cleaning when you have a really hectic week or use my Kids Airtasker to get some extra jobs done around the house.

Buy precook meals from healthy wholefoods business for a couple of nights of the week to take the stress out meal preparation.

Share school drop-offs and/or pick-ups or after school activities with other families.

This is one of my favourites, to barter babysitting with a group of close friends.

• Delete It- Ask yourself do I need to do it? Is it important? If your answer is no then delete it and give your brain the space to focus on the important stuff. I suggest you write down your top five most important things. It will help you decide whether you will make time for it or delete it.

Jo creator of Life Sorted app shared with me her secrets of organisation for super busy families.

Jo created the app Life Sorted a single app that keeps everything in one place (diary, birthdays, ‘to-dos’, shopping) that everyone in the family can access, update and use on the go. If you would like to find out more about Jo and the app Life Sorted check out her website.

So you’ve got a million things on your plate, right?  So, it’s no wonder that you miss that school assembly your daughter was performing in and that dentist appointment you made 6 months ago. And then there is the clutter paralysing you and making it hard to know where to even start. Annoying home projects piling up and waiting to be started.

What if you had a simple way to get organised and make a start on the clutter and home projects?

What if you could plan your week using only a few minutes of your Sunday so that you never miss important appointments or precious moments again?

Start your week off on the right foot and get organised with this simple one-page planner.

If you would like to tips to get organised then join my Facebook group Simply Happy Mums. There are also lots of shared quick recipes, interviews and tips that help you prioritise their wellness.

Do you want to organise and declutter your kitchen with ease? It so hard to move forward and get clarity on things like eating more nutritious meals when you are surrounded by physical clutter. You feel overwhelmed because your brain is overloaded and you struggle to make changes.  I  hear lots of reasons why people can’t move forward and declutter.

Reasons for not decluttering:

• it is sentimental

• they have young kids

• too overwhelming to know where to start

• too busy

Do these sound like reasons that have been stopping you?

The reality is though that your life is being affected by clutter. You lose things, you waste time looking for things, you waste money buying things you really don’t need, you buy more storage instead of decluttering, you get distracted easily and you can’t prioritise efficiently. So that healthy eating plan goes out the window.

Who would have thought that clutter is stopping you from starting to eat better?

Claire from Claire K Creations shared with me tips she uses to eliminate the overwhelm when decluttering the kitchen or any space in the home.

Photo credit @ziink_interiors

Claire from Claire K Creations helps busy, overwhelmed mums to simplify, declutter and organise their homes and create personalised systems to follow to make running the household as easy as whipping up a smoothie with a toddler balancing on your hip. If you would like to find out more about Claire and how she keeps her kitchen simple and organised, have a peek at the Kitchen Household Revolution or check out her website.

If you would like to strip back and declutter then join my Facebook group Simply Happy Mums. There are also lots of shared quick recipes, interviews and tips that help mums prioritise their wellness.

Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour online will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.

Are you the family Uber driver and PA to everyone in your house? Juggling more balls than a clown. Running from one thing to the next, your job, taking kids to sport, and not to mention maintaining a house and getting dinner on the table. No wonder you are craving some time out yourself. I wonder though…is there any time left for YOU in the juggle? How do you manage to find your bliss with so much on your plate?

Even if there was a little time for you, you are probably feeling exhausted at the end of each day and wondering how you could include another thing like ‘me time’. Or is it the guilt of doing something for yourself?

As mums, we are constantly giving our time, energy, or patience. No one can sustain the act of constantly giving. Eventually, that feeling of frustration and of being overwhelmed can push us to snap!  We may even start to resent the ones we love the most. That is why we need to prioritise some time out to switch off, to replenish and recharge.

When we invest in ourselves we are calmer, happier, more fulfilled and energised. When we are feeling calmer and happier we able to give again to those around us. Our mood flows onto the rest of the family. A happier, less stressed mum is more fun to be around. It is also great role modelling for children to see us prioritising ourselves and demonstrating self-love.

Ultimate Mums Day Out

The quickest way to put a smile back on your face is to talk to a girlfriend, either in person or over the phone. Scheduling some time with a girlfriend is the ultimate way to find your bliss that will leave you feeling calmer, replenished and recharged.

Once a term I schedule to catch up with three girlfriends. We all leave feeling calmer, happier and more connected. We also provide each other with a safe place to vent without having to provide a solution to each other’s problems.

Last month I scheduled the ultimate Mums day out with my three girlfriends. We spent two hours on a food and cultural walking tour around the South Melbourne market. Isabel from, “The Visitor”, was our knowledgeable, friendly guide. She shared South Melbourne Market’s story and introduced us to market vendors where we sampled and heard about their produce. We finished the tour with a cheese board and wine tastings. It really was the ultimate mums day out that helped me find my bliss.

When was the last time you spent time with a girlfriend?

As a mum, I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right. So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).

What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.

Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour online will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness (this months focus is meal planning with ease) and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.

Guest Blog – Daniel is a single parent to my daughter (9) and son (6). He shares resources that have worked for him as a single parent on his website Dadsolo.

These days, most parents barely have enough time to keep up with everyday responsibilities. Making time for themselves is so difficult that many simply give up. For single parents, it’s twice as difficult because they’re always on the clock. When your kids need help with homework, you’re their only option. When they have a bad dream, you’re the one they wake up for comfort. When your kids are fighting, there’s only one adult on hand to play referee. You don’t get to hand off a situation to a partner and take a break. Somehow, you need to find ways to take a breather for you and your children’s sake. An evening on the couch watching TV may be unrealistic, but there are opportunities throughout the week to practice self-care.

Quiet time for Single Parents

Take a few minutes to think through your daily routine and identify some quiet moments you can take advantage of. With a little ingenuity, you can make it work for everyone. After work or on weekends, take your kids to an indoor playground that offers plenty of activities. While they’re having fun in a safe, enclosed space, use the time by reading that book you never have time for. Call a friend you’ve lost touch with, or find out what’s happening on Facebook. Sometimes, a little thought and organization are all you need to preserve your mental health and improve your outlook, even in the midst of a busy day.

If you spend 40 hours or more at work, that means you probably have a few hours of lunch and break time that can be used for some physical or mental exercise, or just for meditating and relaxing. If time allows, head to the mall for some “retail therapy.” Or get some co-workers together for Pilates or a group yoga session. You might be surprised how much good a few hours of restorative activity can do.

Outsource

Some single parents feel guilty about hiring a babysitter so they can go out for a little rest and recreation of their own. There’s no need to feel bad about it – your kids may even enjoy having someone new to have fun with for a while. For a few dollars, you can spend the evening doing something you enjoy. It’s good for you and for your kids. They’ll reap the benefits by having a more relaxed and energetic parent, one who’s engaged and more focused on their needs and interests. If you’re nervous about leaving your children with a stranger, there are services and websites that provide background information and customer reviews of babysitters and nannies in your area.

Dual role

One of the hardest things about being a single parent is trying to play a dual role, to be both mother and father. That’s a tall order for anyone when it’s hard enough just being a good mum or dad. Trying to wear both hats only adds stress and strain to a situation that’s burdensome enough for one parent. Instead, focus on being a loving and supportive role model. Demonstrate what it means to be a good person. Be honest with your children and let them see that while you’re their source of security and love, you can also be vulnerable and need their help.

Find support

We all need help now and then. Finding a support network, whether through a formal group or with friends, gives you a chance to share your frustrations and worries with people who care about you in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It’s also important for your kids, who need to rely on you for emotional support rather than being your only source of support when times get tough.

Good choices

Being an effective single parent for your children is about making good choices, both as a parent and as an individual with hopes and dreams of your own. Remember, it’s important not to neglect your needs as you provide support and guidance for your children.

What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.

Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour online will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, share stories and feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness even if you’re an insanely busy mum and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.

 

Gratitude is more than just good manners – it is all about mindset and lifestyle. Beck from Little Dream Catcher shares with me some proven ways to increase gratitude in your family.

Beck has written, designed and self-published a creative gratitude journal for children. If you would like to find out more about Beck or her journals check out her website.

Transcript of the interview-

Narelle: So I am so lucky today. I have Beck from The Little Dream Catchers with me and she’s going to share with me some things about her business and also about maybe her life as a mom. She has three children who I’m sure keep her really busy. And I love the story behind her business and how she wanted to share with her kids the things that she uses in her life, her mindful and keeping grounded. And then the journey towards the actual Dream Catcher journal, how you’ve edited, you’ve created, and you’ve self-published your own gratitude journal, which is a fantastic feat. I don’t know how you’ve done that in time as well. So welcome Beck.

Beck: Thank you.

Narelle: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Beck:  As you said, I have three kids; four, seven, and nine. So my youngest just started kinder this year, which is a bit exciting. And the other two are in school. And they’re in a small school, we’re in a really small community in St. Andrews. So our school has 66 children and it’s a really … I don’t know any other way of schooling, that’s the only school that we’ve sort of been to, but it’s really nurturing and really loving, which is great for our kids because that’s the way that I live my life is just small knit, keep it small, it has the capacity to teach our kids all the tools that I use as well, mindfulness. They do meditation there. It’s really, really lovely. I also have two other businesses. My husband’s a plumber and we have Old Soul where we make vintage industrial pieces. So I do all the book work and social media and liaising with customers for that as well. So really, really busy times, but it’s all good. It’s been working so far.

Narelle:   I love the bit about the school. So are the students altogether or is it, separate classes?

Beck: There are three composites. It’s getting bigger. This is the biggest we’ve had for many, many years this year. But it’s really nurturing. It works and the kids all play together in the playgrounds, different e-levels altogether. The kids run the school assemblies in the classroom with all the parents in the one classroom. All the mums go out for coffee and once a term we’ll all go out for dinner. We all just know each other. It’s really lovely.

Narelle: Yeah, I can imagine also sort of like that tribe, the community feels about the school that leads to even people in your lives that you may use as well [crosstalk 00:02:49] school.

Beck:  Yup, it’s great. I love it.

Narelle: So tell us then, what’s one thing you’ve had as a struggle as a mom over the years?

Beck: I think the biggest thing for me was being able to do things for myself like I used to be able to do. I had all the time in the world, I could do yoga, I could do gardening, I could go anywhere, as you know, and I really struggled with that because I think I was a highly strung new mum nine years ago. So to go out, I found that would bring on anxiety so I didn’t tend to do that as often as I probably should have. So just fitting things in.

I’m okay, I’m really good at that now, making time to fit things in, but it’s been a challenge and a journey to work out what suited me and what works for me, and realizing that if you don’t prioritize, then things will not get done. And there’s no such thing as I haven’t got time in my life to do that, it’s a matter of prioritizing; don’t do that, do that. Or you can do this, but you need to put that on hold for a while. So that’s how I managed to create, design, self-publish, do the whole book on my own with running the other two businesses and a family, three kids. Just prioritizing. And having the drive, as well. Get your mindset of no, I can do this and I’m going to do this and everything flows. It’s okay.

Narelle: Yeah, I love those priorities, because that’s probably my main message is we all have time, don’t we? It’s just a matter of priority. If it’s not a priority, you’re not going to do it.

Beck: Sacrificing as well.

Narelle: Yeah, definitely. But it’s got to be something you’re passionate about.

Beck: Totally.

Narelle: So obviously gratitude is really something that is a really strong value with you to drive you to have even created, self-published, and do the journal in the first place.

Beck: Yeah, totally.

Narelle:  And thanks for sharing that about the anxiety as a new mum. Gosh, I can’t believe it’s nine years ago. Our daughters are the same age.

Beck:  I know. And I’m just such a different person from back then. I was only just thinking, we had a women’s circle last night and we were reflecting the difference from 2009 to this year and it just sort of dawned on me that I was quite anxious and quite highly strung because it was just such a new, scary world. But you live and you learn.

Narelle: Don’t you.

Beck:  And then you go back for more.

Narelle:  Yeah, you did. I only went back once more. So what would you say then are your non-negotiables then? Two non-negotiables you have now in your life.

Beck:  I didn’t have any for a while. I think after my third, I started to go okay, I need something for me now. So I’m in a women’s meditation circle, I do that once a week, and we meditate, but it’s about connecting with other women and it’s a sit group, so it’s a safe place for us to go. And we heal and we talk and we laugh and we help each other. So that’s one thing I do every week. And I see my mum every Wednesday. I’ve done that for the last ten years, every Wednesday. Even if it’s just for the morning, we see each other every week and that’s our way of connecting and having fun and she comes up to see my kids before school now that they’re at school. So that’s two things that I definitely make sure happen every week.

Narelle:  That’s beautiful. And I love the women’s circle especially. That’s what I found has been the most powerful thing through the work that I’ve done is that connection, is amazing for women, and just having that space to share and feel safe to share must be really, really amazing thing to have in your life now.

Beck: Yeah, it’s really important for women to have some sort of network and it’s powerful, it really is. And you create and you evolve and you also heal and you hear their stories and that makes you be able to share your stories and know that you’re not the only one.

Narelle: Definitely, definitely. I think that’s the thing that comes out from anyone when I ask so what’s the best thing is just I’m not alone. I’ve felt so alone. And the power of the internet now to be able to catch up online with people, which I’ve done a lot more over the last 12 months than I did nine years ago. So powerful to have people … And you’re mum. I love that that you catch up every week. So now is your son at Kinder, is it just you catching up?

Beck: Yes. So now we’re okay, what are we going to do? Now it’s our time to probably go for a walk or something just simple, just the two of us. So I’m looking forward to that this year.

Narelle: That’s fantastic. Okay. And the last thing, what about some tips? Some tips for people to increase gratitude or mindfulness in their lives, especially with their kids?

Beck: Well, the easiest way to begin the practice of gratitude is just to have a conversation. Just talking about it. In the car, at the dinner table, at bedtime, that’s how we did it. And just using words that they can relate to as well. Asking your kids and your family, “What are you thankful for today? Why are you lucky today?” is a good one.

Narelle: That’s a good one.

Beck: Just using different words. And in the journals, the entries all have different prompts, so today I am a kind friend because to make kids also accountable for their actions. It makes them have a deeper thought process as well. So just starting the conversation. The more you talk about it, the more it becomes a habit and a daily ritual and a pattern. And the more you practice gratitude, the more you are going to focus more on positive things throughout the day, which brings in mindfulness. You’re noticing things as they happen, you’re not worrying about things that have happened or anxious about what is possibly going to happen or not going to happen and in the future.

It also flows from gratitude. If you’ve got a positive mindset, you are more confident in yourself and you have more self-belief. And then from that, you have more emotional resilience. So I think it all just starts with gratitude and it’s just such a simple thing we can do, just start the conversation.

Narelle: Definitely. Isn’t it that you find those plays, definitely the car I find, morning breakfast and then again dinner or even for my kids because I’m not working this year at the moment and they’re not in after school care, I like to have that conversation when they get home from school. What went well or what didn’t go well and we had an interesting little story came up the other day about my son and his friend and him broke up and I was like, break up? Tell us more about this break-up. And it was just, that’s his way of expressing that they had a fight and it was very cute.

Beck: No.

Narelle:  He would never have told us that.

Beck:  And that’s the other thing, it’s encouraging emotional expression, which is really, really important. I don’t think we do it enough as adults. We weren’t taught to do that. We didn’t talk about that stuff when we were growing up. So as you just pointed out, it brings about expressing themselves emotionally whether it’s verbally or in writing or drawing, it’s really powerful as well. It’s a good lesson for them.

Narelle: It is, isn’t it? So before you go, I’d love you just to explain a little bit more about your business and what maybe drew you to start it and where people can purchase them as well.

Beck:  Okay. Yeah, so I have designed and created a children’s gratitude journal because I couldn’t find anything on the market. There are journals, but they’re plain, they’re basic, every page is the same. And I wanted to be able to reach more kids and teach more kids all the life skills and tools that I use, and teach my own kids, to help us get through life and grow and evolve and learn. So it has space for gratitude entries. As I said before, they’re all different prompts. But it also has fun worksheets that all revolve and encourage self-belief and confidence and kindness. Kindness is my big thing, teaching kindness. And there are over 80 different positive affirmations in there as well to help build up their self-love and their self-esteem. There are animal cards in there, it’s packed full of stuff. So it’s a really, really powerful tool for kids to grow and evolve emotionally and become resilient.

Narelle: Beautiful. And so where can they purchase them?

Beck: Online at littledreamcatchers.com.au. We’ve got quite a few places stocking them now, which is great. I have counsellors stocking them and yoga studios and things like that, so that’s really good. We’re reaching kids, that’s my goal, reach kids. And help kids, as many kids as we can because they need it. There is too much anxiety and depression-

Beck:  -they say. So that’s the goal as well, to alleviate that.

Narelle: Definitely, definitely. Especially yeah, you see the rise, especially with social media, and the way our world’s going. So this is so important. Well, thank you so much, Beck.

Beck:                                          Thank you.

So why is gratitude so important?

• increases happiness levels
• connects you to the experience
• helps slow life down
• increases self-worth
• makes you feel positive
• provides perspective and appreciation – even in kids

There are some many different ways to develop a gratitude ritual for yourself and in your family. Start with something that sparks joy in you. There is no use trying to write in a journal if that feels difficult and you are unlikely to do it each day. My family shares three positive experiences of the day at dinner time. At the end of the week, one person writes down at least one thing we are thankful for and puts it in a jar. At the end of the year, we remember all the wonderful things that happened this year.

Image by moreGuthrie

If you would like a simple way to develop your gratitude ritual then join my Facebook group Simply Happy Mums. There are also lots of shared quick recipes, interviews and tips that help mums prioritise their wellness.

Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour online will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.

 

Are you a mum who wants to feel more mindful in her life? Amanda from the Lilac Lounge has some great advice for mums to be more focused and mindful.

If you are like me, you would have experienced those moments when your kids have been talking to you and you weren’t really listening. They ask you a question and you have no idea what they have been saying. Mindfulness and being in the moment is a skill. It’s really hard to stay focused on what’s happening now, and not getting caught up in the past or future. It takes a lot of practice to be more mindful especially mums who are juggling a lot of balls. We want mindfulness to become a habit that we do automatically without thinking.

Being mindful –

• Increases your ability to feel happy and enjoy life.
• Helps you identify your emotions, improving self-awareness and your ability to communicate with your kids and those around you.
• Reduces the number of times you get caught in the thought and begin to worry.

Another way to help you be more mindful is to get organised. If you have your to-do list written down you are able to stay in the present moment. Your brain doesn’t need to remember everything.  Grab my simple one-page planner to help you be more mindful and enjoy the important things in life.

Amanda – The Lilac Lounge

Amanda has created a place to show you ways to navigate life’s crazy busy-ness and find the awesome in YOU. She is a master Monthly Meal Planner who holds workshops in Karratha. She also runs inspiring Mountain Bike Retreats for women in the Karratha area. If you would like to find out more about Amanda check out her website.

If you would like more tips for being more focused and enjoy other live interviews then join my Facebook group  Simply Happy Mums.

As parents, we all want our kids to develop confidence. Kate’s tip from the Confidence Company to develop confidence with your kids is talking and listening. A wonderful time to do this is during meal times or in the car. Distractions are easier to control while eating or travelling in the car.

The holidays are a great time to spend talking and communicating with your kids. We have fewer distractions and life is a little slower. We can start to build the habit of sharing what we are hoping to achieve each day in the morning. Then checking in later on how the day went.

Another way to build confidence is by helping your kids to continue learning. Even in the holidays, it is important to keep their brain active and stimulated. Research says that kids lose between 3 – 6 months of learning over summer. This is known as the ‘summer slide’. Avoid the ‘summer slide’ with some fun and enjoyable learning activities compiled by teachers.

I have plenty of other resources to use with your children like the ‘Boredom Buster’ click HERE to find out more.

Kate – The Confidence Company

Kate helps individuals realise their full potential by identifying their unique strengths. If you would like to find out more about Kate check out her website. She offers customised programs for individuals and groups on public speaking, job application and interview preparation, speech writing, customer service and networking.

Join my Facebook group Simply Happy Mum for motivation and support from a group of like-minded mums.