I did have a youtube video on this but then I have a very interfering neighbour who reported us to Social Services (who said "great house, clearly great for the children, people don't know what neglect looks like, case closed") but that did spook me a bit! There's a picture of the gym rings in the living room in this post: https://guenbradbury.substack.com/p/why-hanging-by-the-arms-helps-children?r=4bpym1
Also, our house was the subject of an architect's PhD which is nearly published, so I can share that when it is! :D He came and observed how we and the children used the house - he was looking at how "higher friction" homes and neighbourhoods deliver movement and social benefits!
My favorite self care hacks include waking up at the unlawful hour of 4:30 am to try getting some scripture/ writing/ or fictional book reading time in my day.
I also believe having a basic drip coffee machine setup the night before and using the timer start feature is self care!
In the early days I had a mom friend who let my ultra depressed self sit in her yard or couch while she did life with her two boys. It was a very come as you are friendship that saved me.
Lastly, I hum. It’s become a self soothing habit that hopefully doesn’t backfire socially but when I am STRESSED in the car or getting my four year old somewhere it helps for me to hum. It changes your breathing patterns and feels like white noise to me.
Thank you for these! 4:30! Now that’s a goal!! And I love that “come as you are” friendship vision— so life-giving. I’ll have to try the humming! Usually I make up weird songs and pretend to be Mary Poppins, lightens any mood and makes the kids laugh.
There are some great papers on how humming increases nitric oxide in your breath (up to 15 times!), which opens the blood vessels in your lungs and makes gas exchange better. And there's a fantastic case study on a person who had a chronic sinus infection and cleared it by humming ferociously! Just a few biology facts to increase your appreciation of humming (I consult for the innovation departments of big companies and have done a few big pieces of work on breathing.) :D
Thank you for this reframe. These micro-practices are the spa days. They’re just wrapped in real life. Love, the mom of profoundly autistic kiddos who definitely believe in the power of the hoodie walk once around the block 💪🏼
Thanks for reading and being here and supporting this work. 💜 It means more than you know. And yes, these micro-practices add up and make a big difference for us (and the whole family).
I’ve only been consistent for the past month. I wish I could give a great tip, but my body naturally wakes up earlier and it helps that I go to bed pretty early as well.
Good to know. I think with practice, I’ll get there too. It’s just about getting up right when my body is awake or the alarm goes off (that’s usually my sticking point) but I’m getting better.
So grateful to be included in this! Loved seeing all the tips and am definitely walking away with a few new ideas to try (because let’s be real, my current “self-care” is finishing my coffee before it gets cold). I love this kind of realistic encouragement!
Another little tip I love: I pour my coffee into one of those insulated takeaway cups, even when I’m just at home. It keeps it hot for at least an hour… game changer!
This from Lindsey was funny "The point is to be in my own head before the world starts yelling at me" yep, not long after I wake up do I hear screaming!
I love this so much! We need bigger societial conversations about how to better support parents but we also need practical advice for right now because honestly, SOS. lol
Yes to the early nights, essential! And I’m just waiting for my toddler to be out of the 4.30/5am wake up phase 🤯 and then I’ll be up before him. Miss that quiet time before the kids emerge so much!
Love this. Recently I was asked "what do you do for you?" And my answer was a bunch of little things. I find peppering in all the little joys make me feel better then a giant joy
Guen, can you please do an article with a full
House tour??
Right?! That’d be so cool! @Guen Bradbury
I did have a youtube video on this but then I have a very interfering neighbour who reported us to Social Services (who said "great house, clearly great for the children, people don't know what neglect looks like, case closed") but that did spook me a bit! There's a picture of the gym rings in the living room in this post: https://guenbradbury.substack.com/p/why-hanging-by-the-arms-helps-children?r=4bpym1
and if you're in the UK, you should come say hi!
Also, our house was the subject of an architect's PhD which is nearly published, so I can share that when it is! :D He came and observed how we and the children used the house - he was looking at how "higher friction" homes and neighbourhoods deliver movement and social benefits!
Wow this is so cool!! You’re a superstar.
Omg so sorry this happened to you. So glad you resolved it quickly.
So much practical and possible wisdom here. Thanks for pulling all of this together! Grateful to be included. 🧡
Thanks for participating, Erin! And sharing your secret. It was a joy to collaborate with you!
My favorite self care hacks include waking up at the unlawful hour of 4:30 am to try getting some scripture/ writing/ or fictional book reading time in my day.
I also believe having a basic drip coffee machine setup the night before and using the timer start feature is self care!
In the early days I had a mom friend who let my ultra depressed self sit in her yard or couch while she did life with her two boys. It was a very come as you are friendship that saved me.
Lastly, I hum. It’s become a self soothing habit that hopefully doesn’t backfire socially but when I am STRESSED in the car or getting my four year old somewhere it helps for me to hum. It changes your breathing patterns and feels like white noise to me.
Thank you for these! 4:30! Now that’s a goal!! And I love that “come as you are” friendship vision— so life-giving. I’ll have to try the humming! Usually I make up weird songs and pretend to be Mary Poppins, lightens any mood and makes the kids laugh.
There are some great papers on how humming increases nitric oxide in your breath (up to 15 times!), which opens the blood vessels in your lungs and makes gas exchange better. And there's a fantastic case study on a person who had a chronic sinus infection and cleared it by humming ferociously! Just a few biology facts to increase your appreciation of humming (I consult for the innovation departments of big companies and have done a few big pieces of work on breathing.) :D
You should write about these studies! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Oh yes! I need to do humming too… sounds super healthy and soothing. Thanks for the insight! Maybe you’ll do a humming piece?
Loved listening to all the tips!
Thanks, Juliana! So glad you enjoyed. Thanks for being here and reading!
Thank you for this reframe. These micro-practices are the spa days. They’re just wrapped in real life. Love, the mom of profoundly autistic kiddos who definitely believe in the power of the hoodie walk once around the block 💪🏼
Thanks for reading and being here and supporting this work. 💜 It means more than you know. And yes, these micro-practices add up and make a big difference for us (and the whole family).
Love these. Had never heard of tapping but just tried and hell to the yes!
Yay! So glad it worked for you. Tapping is on my list to try too. Now I can’t wait to give it a go. Thanks for being here and reading!
Tapping needs to be awarded the NPP in my house! Isn’t it so good to feel so good tapping? 😂 🥰
Yes, #8 has been a total game changer for me! Great read!
Yes I need to get more consistent with that one! Any tips? And thanks so much for reading! Means a lot.
I’ve only been consistent for the past month. I wish I could give a great tip, but my body naturally wakes up earlier and it helps that I go to bed pretty early as well.
Good to know. I think with practice, I’ll get there too. It’s just about getting up right when my body is awake or the alarm goes off (that’s usually my sticking point) but I’m getting better.
So grateful to have been a part of this! What a great list!
Thanks, Jenna! Loved collaborating with you on this!
Thanks for including me, Jenna! I loved all the other tips and will definitely be trying some of them.
Thanks, Ana! It was so great to work with you on this!
So grateful to be included in this! Loved seeing all the tips and am definitely walking away with a few new ideas to try (because let’s be real, my current “self-care” is finishing my coffee before it gets cold). I love this kind of realistic encouragement!
Thanks, Lindsey! It was a joy to include you in this! I'm gonna be doing a lot more hoodie walks now!
Another little tip I love: I pour my coffee into one of those insulated takeaway cups, even when I’m just at home. It keeps it hot for at least an hour… game changer!
Oh I totally agree… my husband got a free Yeti from work and I use it every day now! Coffee stays hot and it’s so luxurious haha.
Loved these ideas! Beautifully constructed as well, feels like a little mom group just helping each other out.
Thanks, Taylor! That means a lot. That’s the vibe I’m trying to go for! You put it so well. Thanks for reading and being here. 💜
This from Lindsey was funny "The point is to be in my own head before the world starts yelling at me" yep, not long after I wake up do I hear screaming!
I love this so much! We need bigger societial conversations about how to better support parents but we also need practical advice for right now because honestly, SOS. lol
right?! 😂 this comment made me lol and clap. You’re so on point. 👏
Yes to the early nights, essential! And I’m just waiting for my toddler to be out of the 4.30/5am wake up phase 🤯 and then I’ll be up before him. Miss that quiet time before the kids emerge so much!
Yes! There’s a season for it and you’re almost there. Bravo! You’re doing a lot! Quiet coffee hour coming soon.
I can’t wait ☕️☺️
I thought I'd be doing that too but, honestly, now I just wake up at 7 with him and enjoy the extra sleep. Maybe one day 😊
I was banking on that window for a bit of ‘me time’ - mind you extra sleep falls in that category I guess 😅
It varies so much person to person depending on what you prioritize. Right now, sleep is my priority. Lol
Love this. Recently I was asked "what do you do for you?" And my answer was a bunch of little things. I find peppering in all the little joys make me feel better then a giant joy
Totally! It’s the day to day that adds up. Thanks for the reminder to keep adding joys! And thanks for reading and being here 💜
Love these tips! Self care looks so different in this chapter of motherhood, I love how creative some of the ideas were 😊