A Bazillion Resources and Encouragement for New Moms

If you’ve been reading here for any length of time you may have picked up that I’m a bit passionate about encouraging moms – especially new moms and moms of littles. Because you know what? Becoming a mom is one of the most stressful, about-face, knock-you-upside-the-head, dizzying, beautifully amazing transitions in life and—in my opinion—it takes a lot of encouragement to be able to walk that slippery, vulnerable season well.

I’ve written tens of thousands of words about motherhood since beginning this blog and have been meaning for a while to compile a resource page of some of my most clicked/shared tips and inspiration for new moms. What better time to finally do it than when I’m focusing on 31 Days of Women Empowering Women, right?

So here they are — 35+ resources for mamas-to-be and moms of littles. But first, a few personal words from me to you…

 

Dear New Mom,

No matter what advice you are searching for or how you may be feeling about your capabilities as a new mom right at this very moment, please let me just say this one thing:

You may not be a perfect mom, but you are the perfect mom for your kids.

We all screw up. We all have times where we don’t measure up to our expectations. We all sometimes feel inadequate and insecure and just flat out, bone tired.

We all sometimes wonder if what we’re doing is… working.

But let’s remind ourselves together that in the days of endless owie-kissing and diaper changing and bath drawing we are little-by-little building a better future. Remember that, dear sweet mama. You are not the sum total of how well your baby sleeps or how well-mannered in public your little boy is or how soon your girl can write her name. Your worth as a mom doesn’t come from five star meals, an immaculate house, homemade pinterest holiday banners, or a disappearing baby belly and flash hair cut.

You’re the perfect mom for your kids because you are theirs. Because you care endlessly and exhaustingly for them. Because you reheat your coffee three times before 8:00am without blinking an eye and you give them the last bite of your cookie during afternoon snack time. Because you read bedtime stories and make sure they brush their teeth and pack All The Stuff for a morning out at the park. Because you pray for them and with them, sing for them and with them, laugh at them and with them.

You’re the perfect mom because you said ‘yes’ to giving your whole self and doing your best and pouring your heart and soul into those littles being raised well.

I bet, like me, you need a reminder from time-to-time that despite all the crazy and the tears and the growing pains (I’m not even talking about the children), that what you’re doing matters. I bet, like me, you need encouragement for the journey. I bet, like me, you need to hear the words now and then that sound a bit like this: You’re doing a good job. Your kids think you’re awesome. And whatever you’re doing?? It’s enough.

If you get nothing else from this resource page, take away this, dear mama – you are amazing and your contribution to the world is beyond comprehension. Thank you for being you.

Love,
Adriel xx

 

Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum

What ‘What to Expect’ Doesn’t Tell You About Preparing for Birth

100 Little Things About Pregnancy, Birth, and Being a First-Time-Mom

When Birth Goes According to Plans (or Not)

4 Reasons to Write a Birth Plan

How to Organize Write a Birth Plan

A Girlfriend’s Guide to Birth and the 4^th Trimester Part 1 (and Part 2)

How to Prepare for a Sucessful VBAC (including 20+ VBAC and cesarean birth resources)

Dealing with Gender Disappointment in Pregnancy

Chirp, Chirp – I’m Building My Nest

Combating Pregnancy Fatigue

Birth Story Mompetition and One-Upping: Why Compare? Just Share.

Pregnancy Loss & Miscarriage

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a Big Deal – Normalizing What’s Already Normal

7 Breastfeeding Tips for Expecting Moms

How to Breastfeed in Public: 10 Tips for New Moms and Moms-To-Be

Discipline & Parenting

My Practices of Parenting and How My Values Shape Them

How I’m Learning to Disciple {Rowdy} Children

Parenting to Build Relationships, Not Robots

Can You Do the Wet Noodle? | Seeing Myself in My Toddler’s Tantrums

Nighttime Parenting vs. Daytime Parenting: Do We Have Split Personality Disorder?

Encouragement & Inspiration

Birth is Holy, Treat it as Such {A Letter to My Pregnant Self}

“You’re a great mum.” (Can you please tell me again?)

How a Doctor’s News About Down Syndrome is Changing Our Life for the Better

A Mother’s Confessional About Anger (This Might Get a Little Ugly)

Carpe Diem? Or Don’t You?

Hello Judah | A sucessful VBAC Birth Story

Dear Moms Who Think I Have It All Together: Allow Me to Gently Burst Your Bubble.

Growing Friendships in the Season of Mothering Littles

Who’s the Expert Anyway? | The Struggle Between Parenting Books & Trusting Yourself

Travel & Tips

How to Be a Stay-At-Home Mom Without Losing Your Marbles

How to Choose a Childcare Center They’ll Love – Tips for the First-Timer

Camping with a Baby

How to Survive (International!) Plane Travel with a Baby

Preparing for Baby Number Two

In Which I Realize I Might Never Feel ‘Ready’ to Have More Children

Preparing for Baby #2 – It’s Okay to Question Yourself

Making Enough Room in My Heart & Life for Baby #2 (Will I Ever Be ‘Enough’?)

 

 

 

This post is part of a series called 31 Days of Women Empowering Women. See hundreds of incredible #31Days projects here.