Treat Yo’ Self: 4 Mother's Day Self Love Tips from a Mama Blogger.

True story: if you’re a Mama, you’re insane. But it’s not your fault. When you gave birth to your first child, the Motherhood Fairy waved her magic wand over you and —  *poof* — rolled your 100% balanced life into an eternal hamster wheel of feeding, cleaning, bathing, and picking up after an (impossibly demanding) mini-human.

It’s okay, we see you! We’ve brought in mama blogger Emily Pickersgill-Brown from The Delta Forest to celebrate all the crazy mothers who make the world/hamster wheel go round. Here are her top self-love tips for busy-ass Mamas this Mother’s Day...

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#1. Bitches need brunches.

Treating yourself to brunch is like giving yourself a big, warm hug  — I like that. Life is nuts, so you’ve gotta carve out some blissful “me time” here and there.

My go-to is Honeybones in Grey Lynn, where the coffee is *literally* the best. Also, they do the most amazing almond bircher muesli in Auckland. I don’t know why it tastes so good, but I can tell you that there’s caramelised pineapple involved. Another big plus for me: no too-cool vibe. You just walk in and feel welcome.

#2. You deserve pretty things. Like, really pretty things.

Remember when you used to shop alone? Pure bliss. But shopping with kiddos — total nightmare. If they’re not shitting or screaming, they’re demolishing racks of expensive cashmere jumpers or squirming across the germy lino. At some point they’ll wriggle out of your changing room (guaranteed) and you’ll have to stagger after them with a pair of skinny jeans tangled around your ankles. Not good.

If I were you, I’d celebrate myself this Mother’s Day with a throwback solo shopping spree. I’d hit the shops in Ponsonby Central, and then make a beeline for Zara and H&M over at Sylvia Park. More importantly, I’d force myself to buy something that’s not a pair of yoga pants. Instead, I’d pick out a few pieces with straight lines and transitional shapes, maybe in crisp, white linen. Self love for the win!

#3. Be kind to the amazingness (you).

We’re all familiar with those days when you can’t muster up the motivation to do… anything. Even shower. Here and there, a ‘not giving a fuck’ day can be awesome for your mental health.

But even if leggings + no bra = your idea of eternal comfort, you’ve still gotta make some time for pampering.

Get a facial! Or an eyebrow wax. Or a spray tan, or massage. Maybe all of the above — parenting’s a tough gig, after all. I recently went for a facial at day spa and beauty salon Haven (after YEARS of using baby wipes + occasionally dabbing my face with Girl Undiscovered Oil) and came out with glowing skin, a tummy full of treats, relaxed/massaged shoulders, and simple, perfect advice about my skincare routine. I’d recommend.

#4. Take a night off. 

When your kids aren’t demanding a snack, terrorising the pets, or interrupting your midnight slumbers… I’ll bet you’re exhausted. In fact, I’ll bet you’re so exhausted that you fall into the trap of binging trashy late-night TV and scrolling Instagram — even though you’re crazy sleep-deprived and the baby’s prooobably going to wake up in an hour or two.

It’s okay, we all do it. But every now and again, you need to break up with The Bachelor and take an actual night off. That might mean taking yourself out to dinner, catching up with friends… Or, if you wanted to be reeeally extreme — booking yourself a solo hotel room, ordering a bottle of wine, luxuriating in the expensive white sheets, and enjoying some blissful time out.  

That might sound crazy, but will you be a kinder, more balanced, happier Mama when you get back? Absolutely. So don’t feel guilty. Just go for it.

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