by Beth Lewis | Apr 7, 2025 | Beth Lewis, Self Care
As a mum, it’s easy to pour your energy into everyone else—your kids, your partner, your work, your home—while putting your own needs on the back burner. Over time, that self-neglect can leave you feeling invisible, undervalued, and disconnected from who you really are.
If you’ve ever thought, “Does anyone even see me?”—you’re not alone.
But here’s the truth: You are worthy of love, care, and appreciation, especially from yourself. Self-love isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation of wellbeing, and the key to showing up for your family from a place of wholeness rather than depletion.
Here are the best self-love practices for mums who feel overlooked—designed to nourish your heart, lift your spirit, and remind you that you matter too.
1. Start with Gentle Self-Talk
If your inner voice is filled with criticism or guilt, it’s time for a mindset shift. You deserve to speak to yourself with the same kindness and compassion you offer your kids.
Try This:
- Replace “I’m failing” with “I’m doing my best.”
- Begin the day with a kind affirmation like, “I am worthy of love and care.”
Words shape our reality. Let yours be uplifting.
2. Create Tiny Moments Just for You
Self-love doesn’t require hours of free time (though that’s lovely!). It’s about small, consistent moments that reconnect you with you.
Try This:
- Sip your coffee in silence before the house wakes up.
- Read one page of a book, or listen to a podcast that inspires you.
- Take 5 minutes outside to breathe in fresh air.
These pockets of presence add up.
3. Reclaim Something You Love Doing
Remember what made you feel like you before motherhood? Reclaim it.
Try This:
- Revisit a hobby (even for 10 minutes a week).
- Sign up for that class or creative project.
- Make space for something that’s just yours—no guilt.
Self-love is remembering that you are a whole person, not just a role.
4. Write Yourself a Love Note
Yes, really. When was the last time you acknowledged yourself?
Try This:
Write a short note or journal entry that celebrates:
- What you’ve overcome
- What you’re proud of
- What makes you special
Pin it on your mirror. Read it when you forget how amazing you are.
5. Nourish Your Body with Intention
Fueling your body with love is an act of self-respect. You don’t need to follow a strict wellness plan—just tune in to what your body needs.
Try This:
- Drink more water.
- Eat nourishing foods that make you feel energised.
- Stretch or move in a way that feels good.
Honour your body like the powerhouse it is.
6. Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy
When you feel overlooked, it may be because your needs are always last. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about showing yourself love and respect.
Try This:
- Say no without guilt when your plate is full.
- Ask for help instead of doing it all.
- Protect time in your week that’s just for you.
You teach others how to treat you by how you treat yourself.
7. Celebrate Small Wins Every Day
Motherhood is made of tiny victories—getting everyone dressed, keeping calm during chaos, showing up when it’s hard. These wins matter.
Try This:
At the end of each day, write down 1-3 things you did well.
Big or small, they’re proof that you’re doing an incredible job.
8. Surround Yourself with Uplifting People
You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with people who remind you of your worth, not drain it.
Try This:
- Join a supportive mums’ group.
- Follow accounts online that promote self-love and real motherhood.
- Spend time with friends who lift you up.
You deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
You Are Not Invisible – You Are Invaluable
If you’ve been feeling overlooked, know this: you don’t need outside validation to begin loving yourself again. Self-love is the daily decision to treat yourself with kindness, even when the world is chaotic. Especially then.
Start small. Speak kindly to yourself. Take one moment today to honour your needs.
Because when you treat yourself like someone who matters—you become someone who remembers their worth.
And Mumma, you matter more than you know.
by Beth Lewis | Mar 12, 2025 | Beth Lewis, Self Care
Parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences, but let’s be real—it’s also one of the most testing. Whether it’s tantrums, endless “why” questions, fighting siblings, or refusing to listen, there are moments when our patience is stretched thin.
You love your kids, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel frustrated or overwhelmed. The key isn’t to never lose patience (because let’s face it, we’re human), but rather to find ways to stay calm and respond, instead of react.
If you’re feeling like you’re one meltdown away from a meltdown yourself, here are some practical ways to keep your cool and stay patient, even when your kids are pushing your limits.
It sounds simple, but in the heat of the moment, taking a deep breath before reacting can make a world of difference. When we’re frustrated, our body goes into stress mode, and our brain defaults to quick, emotional reactions. Taking a breath gives you a pause—a chance to choose patience over frustration.
Try This:
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Before reacting, take 5 slow, deep breaths (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2, exhale for 6).
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Imagine yourself breathing in calm and exhaling frustration.
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Walk away for a moment if needed. It’s okay to take a pause.
Patience isn’t about never feeling frustrated—it’s about learning how to manage those feelings before they take over.
When your child is having a meltdown or repeatedly ignoring instructions, it can feel like they’re intentionally testing your limits. But in most cases, they’re not trying to drive you crazy—they’re just being kids.
Try This:
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Instead of thinking, Why are they doing this to me?! try asking, What’s really going on here?
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Remind yourself: Your child isn’t giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time.
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Stay curious—could they be tired, hungry, overstimulated, or needing connection?
Shifting your mindset from “They’re being difficult” to “They’re struggling” helps you respond with understanding instead of frustration.
Let’s be honest—sometimes our frustration comes from expecting too much from our kids. We want them to listen the first time, behave perfectly in public, and never argue. But they’re learning, growing, and testing boundaries—it’s part of childhood.
Try This:
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Remind yourself of their age and stage—a toddler isn’t going to sit still for long, and a 6-year-old will struggle with emotional regulation.
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Adjust your own expectations—you’re not supposed to be a perfect parent. You’re learning too!
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Celebrate the small wins instead of focusing on what’s not going right.
Sometimes, just adjusting your expectations can relieve frustration before it even begins.
Instead of waiting until you’re already frustrated, create a simple plan for how you’ll handle challenging moments in advance.
Try This:
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When your patience is running low, use a mantra like “I am calm. I am present. I’m okay.”
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Have a go-to strategy—whether it’s stepping outside, counting to 10, or taking a sip of water.
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If needed, remove yourself from the situation for a moment to regain composure.
Preparing ahead of time makes it easier to stay patient when emotions are high.
Sometimes, the best way to reset a tense moment is to find the humour in it. Kids have a way of doing the most ridiculous things at the most inconvenient times. Instead of letting frustration build, lean into the chaos and laugh when you can.
Try This:
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If your child is throwing a fit over something minor, try making a silly face or using a goofy voice.
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Turn a frustrating situation into a game (e.g., racing to clean up toys instead of nagging).
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Remind yourself: One day, you’ll probably laugh about this moment!
Not everything needs to be serious. A little humour can go a long way in keeping your patience intact.
It’s so much harder to stay patient when you’re running on empty. If you’re constantly exhausted, overstimulated, and overwhelmed, even minor frustrations can feel impossible to handle.
Try This:
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Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, food, and breaks.
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Schedule 5-10 minutes of self-care daily (even if it’s just a quiet cup of tea).
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Ask for help when you need it—you don’t have to do it all alone.
A well-rested, emotionally balanced mum is naturally more patient. Prioritise yourself too!
Let’s be real—we all lose our patience sometimes. But what matters is how we handle it afterward.
Try This:
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If you snap at your child, take a moment to calm down and apologise.
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Say something like, “I got frustrated, and I’m sorry for yelling. I love you, and I’ll try to handle my emotions better next time.”
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Teach your child that it’s okay to make mistakes—and how to repair them.
Apologising shows your kids that even parents have big feelings—and that love is always stronger than frustration.
Staying patient when your kids are pushing your limits isn’t always easy, but it is possible. The goal isn’t to never feel frustrated—it’s to learn how to manage those feelings before they turn into reactions you regret.
So next time you feel your patience slipping, pause, take a breath, and remind yourself:
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You’re doing your best.
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This moment will pass.
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You are a great mum—even on tough days.
