For a new mom or seasoned mom, there is the term " It takes a village" and I am blessed to say I have one. Given the chaos that can sometimes happen during our busy work season, I'm grateful my son has grandparents that can be of great help, siblings to handle pick-ups or friends who come over and let you wash your hair, while they play with your child. It's a beautiful and humbling experience. However, there are still moments where I don't want to ask for help, feel guilty or maybe the people I trust are all busy with their lives and in the end, it's my responsibility right? So I wanted to come up with other means of help and assistance...
So I have been thinking about a few things that I realized have been a great help, save me time or have been a financial relief to us. This also calls a bit of preparation for the mother to be (or parents to be), maybe a request on your preferred baby shower gift, but you have nine months and change before you need to pull out the "non traditional village". So what are they? Read below...
Target Membership Same Day Delivery | at $100 bucks a year, you can get same day delivery for free (as long as you spend more than $30 bucks, which is not hard lol) and have your regular groceries and baby essentials at your doorstep. I first got this membership when I had my pre-term labor at 26 weeks and was forced to be homebound essentially. This was also around the holiday time and I wanted so seasonal pillows. Now my son is about to be 18 months and this has never failed me! The amount of " Oh Sh*t" moments I have had because I was running low on formula, it's already passed the baby's bedtime and my husband has a production running late into the evening- LIFE SAVER! The first four month my son was born, my husband was in his heavy season and I was recovering from a c-section. Although I wanted to get out and about, carrying heavy things was not recommended. Another reason why this is such an easy YES!
Meal Plan Membership | I'm thinking as a baby shower gift or push gift, this will be a request of mine for next time. The last thing I want to do while recovering from postpartum is clean additional dishes, nor cook! BUT I DO WANT TO EAT lol. I hate meal prepping to begin with, so don't ask me how much I spent on Uber Eats- it's ridiculous. I have personally enjoyed Jetfuel Meals and Factor Meals.
Request Gift Cards to Key Places | I am not apposed to gift cards and I know that sometimes they can be seen as informal, apathetic etc. BUT gift cards for me were an amazing way to easily buy diapers, formula and other essentials when i needed something same day or next day delivery. Target, Amazon or food spots really were my main go-to's. They were a lifesaver on the days where energy did not exist and I needed something in a pinch. It also was stress free knowing that I financially saved money thanks to family and friends who so generous to gift me these at my baby shower!
Plan and budget for care services | I was fortunate to spend the first six months un interrupted with him, but soon my busy "bread and butter" season was approaching and it was important that we budget for daycare. Everyone is different and may prefer a nanny or some type of coop care, but once you find the place that you trust, it's go time. Soon you start to find a sense of a schedule and really do all that you can with the hours you have. You may even kick yourself for realizing just how much time you've wasted in the past, but that's ok because it only make you eager to get all the things done!
Wellness Routine Community | I've been doing Bodi for five years now and have a few ladies in a private workout group, via their app, to hold accountability for one another. I think what I like the most is knowing that we all have responsibilities, the need for sanity and routine and the group is a flexible and safe place of comradery. It's essential for us in postpartum to move the body, regulate our hormones and boost serotonin. I also love that I can put the workouts on the TV and get a flow or weight train sesh in while the baby plays or naps.
I hope this non traditional list helps you feel a little more prepared for postpartum and the craziness that comes with the 4th trimester and beyond. Just remember to take each day one at a time. It feels monotonous and sometimes even bleak at times but it will get better. Before you know it, you find yourself saying " I got this, I got the hang of this"... and guess what - YOU DO!
Sending you love and support in this life of motherhood.
xo,
Caro
*our little guy at 7 months
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