A giveaway for Mother's Day

I don't spend too much time talking about having kids on this blog. I've mentioned my kids a couple of times, but this certainly isn't a parenting or family blog. I think that's mostly because crafting is my break from motherhood. It's the thing I do to relax, re-energize, and have some time for myself. So it's no surprise that my kids don't make more appearances on my craft blog.

As I've read post after post on what to make for mother's on Mother's Day (all great ideas, btw), I decided to take a little different approach to my Mother's Day post. I thought it would be good to talk about what has helped me become a better mom, and how I maintain my sanity in the crazy day-to-day of having kids.

I can't say that I've had the rosy perfect motherhood experience. After my first child was born premature (she weight four pounds!) and battled raging reflux for most of her first year, and my thyroid went all to heck after my son was born (causing me to go nutty and gain a bunch of weight) it's no wonder I looked around and thought, "um ... remind me again why I did this."

But I am reminded every day why - in little ways. Like how my son - home sick from school and curled up on the couch next to me right now - just snuggled in to me and said, "I love you, mama." out of nowhere.*

Crafting has made an incredible difference in my state of mind - especially over the last year. Exploring my creative side, connecting with other creative folks, and making things with my hands almost daily has been hugely important to maintaining my mental health. I love to see how other moms do the same.

I came across Carrie's blog back in February and was totally inspired by her Flood quilt. Here's a picture and her artist statement about the quilt. You can read more about the quilt on her blog here and here. Thanks, Carrie, for permission to post the picture and info!
"Most of the pieces on display were inspired by my experience of becoming a mother-the joys and challenges that come with such a life-altering event. The four largest quilts reflect my experience with postpartum depression after the birth of my daughter. It is a time that I’m choosing not to forget, a placemarker for my experience as a new mother. Because of the intimate quality it gives my work, I choose to stitch, embroider, felt and appliqué by hand. I love the meditative quality of hand-stitching and the feeling of connection I have with other women while I am creating."

Isn't that amazing? I am so inspired by her work. I love seeing moms use art and craft to work through emotionally difficult times (with, of course, all other kids of necessary support!)

One thing that helped me become a better mom (and I'm not talking packing-whole-food-snacks-for-the-park-and-never-cursing-in-front-of-my-kids mom) and helped me treat myself better was being part of a Personal Renewal Group for mothers. Meeting with a group of mothers to talk about subjects like reconnecting with your former self and exploring ways to bring more adventure and creativity into my life helped me stop beating myself up and, instead, start taking care of myself - at least half as well as I took care of my kids. It also spurred me to spend more time exploring things that made me happy - like crafting!

After a few years in my PRG, I was fortunate enough to work with a team of moms to bring the materials behind the Personal Renewal Groups to moms everywhere. Our group leader, author and career coach Renee Trudeau, took her work that she developed through her PRGs and created a beautiful book called The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life. It's a gorgeously designed month-by-month guide on reconnecting with yourself and creating balance in your life from the inside out.

We're not talking lists and systems on having a cleaner house here. This book is about digging deep and exploring your experiences and expectations around being a mom, and on how to take better care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. It sounds like heavy lifting (and it can be at times) but it's the work that I did in my PRGs that really revolutionized how I treat myself and how I view motherhood. I've facilitated my own PRG for the last year with a really fantastic group of women and have loved it.

So now on to the giveaway. You ready yet? The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal and PRGs around the book are a huge grass roots movement to help moms take better care of themselves. If you are looking for a Mother's Day gift, I highly recommend ordering a copy from Renee's web site (don't even get me started on how much Amazon takes from authors) and ask your local bookstores to carry the book.

Next, check out her web site to learn more about the book and Personal Renewal Groups. Then take a look at the downloadable chapter called Month 4 - Managing Your Energy: Setting Your Priorities, Saying No and Asking for Help. Read the chapter - really read it (it's one of my faves). The chapters are short and easy to read. Then leave a comment here with what your favorite way to say no (from the book, or if you have another one to add) is. If you want to enter twice, post about the book and the contest on your blog and link to it in the comments here. You've got to show me you've read the chapter - incomplete comments won't be included in the drawing. I'm going all old-skool teacher on you here!

I'll draw a winner on Mother's Day (Sunday the 11th) and will send that person a copy of The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal. Heck, I may even be able to get it signed for ya!

I also have to add my mad crazy love for my fantastic support group of intelligent, funny, supportive, diverse amazing women through the AustinMama Yahoo Group. I couldn't have survived motherhood this far without them! I recently talked with a friend who is pregnant with her first child, and my one bit of advice for her was: find a group of women who support you no matter what, and dig in with them. That community has been my life line.

So how ever you celebrate Mother's Day, just be sure to go easy on yourself and take some time to take care of yourself.

* Lest you think I've had an idyllic writing experience this afternoon, you should know that it's taken me more than three hours to get this post wrapped up, and I've helped him in the bathroom, watched several episodes of Scooby Doo, played some hockey with a play doh lid and eaten fruit cheerios with him. I envy folks who can sit down and complete a task uninterrupted in a huge way!