Coupon 4 Mom

With all the responsibilities at home and the office, many women forget to nurture themselves. Even when you are taking care of others, you should also take care of yourself! It will benefit you, but also the entire family.

Sleep, good nutrition and exercise
If you want to feel less stressed and resentful, tend to your basic needs by getting enough sleep. Fatigue, frustration and a constant feeling of overwhelm come from sleep deprivation and stress. For your own sake and for your family, nurture yourself by drinking a lot of water, eating well and exercising to evacuate the stress.

Share the load
A lot of women think that the more they do the best mom they are. You won’t be a better mom if you overload yourself and suffer from exhaustion! Don’t be afraid to use family teamwork and to give your children responsibilities. This will make them feel more capable. Always set boundaries for your time and learn how to say no. Set also your priorities and distinguish what is an emergency and what can wait.

Give time to yourself
Stay energetic and refreshed by doing something you enjoy every day even if it’s just for 10 minutes! Block some time completely to yourself in your daily routine for your personal interests to self-connect and nourish your soul.

Build your support network
Look for help and support around you with close connections you can depend on. Join a local mom support group in your community where you can find good advices and understanding from other women that know what you are going through.

It’s not always easy to make healthy food choices while eating out. Many times, you have less control on your child’s meal and since you’re not at home, surrounded by strangers, it’s more difficult to express your thoughts. Try these healthy tips and don’t forget to order yourself a healthy menu to give a good example!

1. Discuss healthy food items choices before eating out
At home, before going to the restaurant, you should talk with your child about the menu choices and what he should order. Agree on healthy food items from the major food groups and be sure that the restaurant you are planning to go offers them.

2. Ask for a kid’s size menu
Many restaurants are offering big portions that are not suitable for children. Large portions are not good options even if the menu has a lot of healthy items because a kid will get used to eat too much. If a portion control is not available, don’t hesitate to split the menu and share it.

3. Choose a menu low in fat and sugar
Avoid fried foods such as french fries and chicken nuggets. Prefer instead salad, vegetables or baked potatoes and grilled, broiled, roasted or steamed lean meats like seafood, chicken or turkey. Replace mayonnaise by salsa or mustard. For dessert, opt for fresh fruit instead of sugary. If your child wants salad dressings, sauces or gravy, have them served on the side and used sparingly. Don’t forget to also make healthy beverages choices with 100% fruit juice, milk or water instead of soda.

Going back to work after maternity leave can be stressful for a new mother. Keep in mind that it’s in the best interests of you and your family and that it’s good to have challenges in your life! Here are a few tips to ease your transition back to work!

1. Plan a new daily routine

Before returning to work, practice during a week your new schedule to make sure you are well organized. This way, you will see how you can balance your new roles and have time to correct what doesn’t work. Make all the arrangements for child care or a babysitter also a week before to try out your new routine and get used to leave your baby to someone else. If you can’t practice your new schedule, try to set a return-to-work date late in the week in order to start smoothly.

2. How to continue breast-feeding

Once at work, you will have to plan breaks during the day to pump. If you can’t return at home every day during your lunch break, for example, you must get the supplies and find a clean and private place to express milk. An electric pump could be a good investment that will make you save much time and energy.

3. Don’t give up

During the first weeks back at work, you will face many challenges difficult to manage. Even if you are well prepared, you will need time to get used to your new routine. If you are still not able to adapt yourself to your new responsibilities, talk to your employer to arrange a flexible schedule and don’t hesitate to ask the help of your friends and family!

It’s not always easy to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, but there are some things you can control to find the right balance that works for you. Here are a few tips to help you achieve a better work/life balance!

1. Exercise and eat healthy

Even if you have a busy schedule, make time for exercise. It will boost your energy level and you will feel more refreshed and concentrated. Making healthy food choices will give you more energy as well.

Eat well and exercise

2. Slow down

Set realistic goals and take time for the things and people around you. Don’t overload your schedule with plans for every evening or weekend. Instead, try to leave the office earlier one night per week. You will also be more productive and effective if you take a 10 minute break every 2 hours.

Take the time for an occasional massage

3. Let go of activities that drain your energy

Determine which errands are critical and time-consuming to let them go once in a while or done by someone else.

Learn to delegate

4. Be organized

Better manage your time by setting your priorities and being realistic about what you can achieve in one day.

Know your priorities

5. Protect your private time

Especially if you are an independent worker, don’t be available 24/7 and turn off your electronic communications after a certain time. Ask friends and family to not call between hours that you have set if you are working at home.

Plan some "me" time away from the phone

6. Discuss deadlines and deliverables

When you find that a deadline is unrealistic, express your thoughts to your employer. If you can’t change it, get your partner or other family member to help you for your household chores and responsibilities during this period of rush.

Negotiate with your employer