Most new moms know that the first year is going to be to be full of joys and challenges, peaks and valleys. But even though they’ve prepared themselves as much as they can, they still find themselves thinking, I knew this was going to be hard. But will it always be this hard? This wasn’t what I was expecting, what if I don’t know how to take care of this baby–or myself?
Rachael Elmore has been there and knows on a personal and professional level how hard the early days and months of motherhood can be. In A Mom Is Born she takes her expertise as a licensed and clinical counselor and pairs it with her deeply personal story of overcoming postpartum depression after the birth of her first son. She comes alongside readers with practical tools–such as the New Mom Wellness Plan and a postpartum progress checklist–to help find the balance between taking care of their new baby and taking care of themselves. Using scripture and therapeutic insights, Elmore shows mothers how to
- develop a biblical plan for navigating new motherhood, the baby blues, and postpartum depression;
- stop intrusive thoughts and triggers in their tracks and overcome postpartum anxiety;
- process and manage all of the new emotions they are facing; and
- start implementing small acts of self-care that will lead to emotional health.
A Mom Is Born gives moms the tools they need to stop spinning in the overwhelming emotions and anxieties of new motherhood and start taking care of themselves so that they can be the connected and emotionally healthy moms God designed them to be.
Quotes:
We need help from a clinical and biblical perspective.
I spent the last decade writing the book I wish had been there for me.
It was good for me to know what it’s like to be that sad.
Psalm 32:3
Our God provides and comes beside us to help us through dark days.
Every new transition of motherhood is challenging.
I think the enemy’s favorite way to get to us is to make us feel like bad moms.
I want you to feel like you are a good mom.
Bad moms don’t worry about the fact they are bad moms. The fact that your mothering concerns you probably means you are on a good path.
Because you are created in God’s image, you have what it takes to be a good mom.
Unless it’s from God, serves a purpose, and motivates you to be a better mom and person, then that guilt has got to go because all it is doing is tearing you down.
There is no perfect mom.
A shower is not adequate self-care.
Implement 3 minutes of self-care throughout your day.
If an intrusive thought bothers you, you are probably not going to do those things.
Our thoughts control us the most when we believe we cannot change them.
You are not alone.
All parents struggle. You’re not broken. You will be ok.
Motherhood is a holy calling.
I searched the Bible to tell me what a good mom is. 1 Corinthians 13.
Connect with Rachael:
Rachael Elmore, Author of A Mom is Born, Therapist and Speaker
