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As our family has grown over the past 11 years, I’ve learned a lot about myself – way beyond what I could ever imagine. Yes, when you become a mom, whether it be for the first time or the fourth time, your heart expands, you cry more in the first year than you have your entire adult life and you never knew you were capable of loving someone so much. It’s true. But what they didn’t tell me is the need to roll with the punches (figuratively and literally – especially with four boys in the house) and the necessity to celebrate each day’s little victories. Because not one day will look the same and with that brings an array of challenges, celebrations, rewards and choices.
- Waking up 10 minutes before the kids to sip a cup of coffee in peace?
The best kind of little victory to start the day off right.
- Get all the kids out the door on time, fully dressed, baby fed and lunches packed?
Another little victory to start the day off on the right foot.
- Get the overtired baby down for a good nap (and he actually stays asleep)?
Victory!!!
- Travel across country and back in two days with a 9-month-old?
That’s definitely a little victory.
- Breastfeeding a very busy and distractible 9-month-old baby while on the go for two full days?
Huge little victory.
- Figuring out that my baby prefers fresh pumped milk over previously frozen expressed milk?
A life-saving little victory!
- Not freaking out when your baby picks up an object off a dirty floor and sticks it in his mouth?
Yes, even that can be a little victory (especially if you’re a germaphobe like myself).
I could go on and on…
Ever since I’ve started to look at my days in a positive light and celebrating the #littlevictories, I’ve noticed a change. A change in my mood, my outlook on life as a mom; even the way my children react to different experiences throughout the day. Because let’s face it, when mama is happy… everyone is happy! And that statement is not just about my actions. My kids can sense my stress, but the baby senses my stress even more because of our breastfeeding moments throughout the day.
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I’ve joined in with other moms to share my real moments, my real life little victories that happen each and every day through Bravado’s #LittleVictories campaign. Little Victories come from finding comfort – both physically and emotionally – in pregnancy, during labor and delivery, while breastfeeding and beyond.
One little victory that I find important and try to achieve on a daily basis is taking care of myself. It all goes back to when mama is happy… but this little victory is all about mama feeling good. Because when you look good, you feel good. And for me, that means 4-5 minutes of my morning.
My best #LittleVictories beauty tip?
Keep a makeup bag on your bathroom counter (or in an easily accessible place). Inside, only put the few things that make you look and feel good about yourself. For me, I keep mascara, blush, lip gloss and bobby pins in my bag. This way I really have no excuse to take a few minutes to myself each and every day. And if that’s the only time I get to myself for that day, at least I got some satisfaction that I managed to do something for myself.
Bravado Designs conducted a survey of more than 1,000 new and expectant mothers in the United States. The online survey was open from February 25, 2014 through March 4, 2014. Key findings include:
Only 8% of moms are extremely satisfied with their ability to manage the multiple demands of their lives.
Come on, moms! We can increase this 10-fold just by changing the way we feel about ourselves and adjusting how we view our daily experiences, challenges and #LittleVictories.
See more #LittleVictories like mine on Bravado’s YouTube Channel.
Share your #LittleVictories at bravadodesigns.com/littlevictories
and you could win one of the weekly prizes or the grand prize Babymoon trip to NYC!
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Weekly Prizes include:
Bravado Designs Nursing Wardrobe (1 Essential Embrace, 1 Body Silk Seamless, 1 Essential Nursing Tank, 1 Bliss with Lace)
Medela Freestyle Pump and Accessory Starter Set
Grand Prize:
Trip to NYC for W Hotels “Best of the Bump” Babymoon, guest pass to Big City Moms NYC Biggest Baby Shower, 1 Bravado Nursing Wardrobe and 1 Medela Freestyle Pump and Accessory Starter Set.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for the Bravado #LittleVictories campaign. All opinions are my own.