 |
 
Okay, so the Mothercraft Monthly hasn't quite been monthly lately. The last time you heard from MC, we were planning turkey dinner... and I feel like that tryptophan fog never wore off! Maybe it's the unseasonably cold L.A. weather, but it seems like whenever it came time to do anything "mothercrafty", the urge to get under a blanket and drink hot chocolate overtook me. I have a tendency to talk tough with myself when I'm not "getting it all done" (read Getting On Your Own Team, below), but this month I did something crazy: I opted instead to surrender to my need for rest. Sometimes, just simply giving yourself permission to slow down is enough to ease the burden of your crazy life. With the help of some yoga, some pasta, and a couple hot bubble baths, I feel rejuvenated and ready to face the rest of the year... or at least the next week of carpool!
MAKE IT A LEAP YEAR
The beginning of the year is an inspiring time to take stock and make changes. If you're feeling overwhelmed, if you're looking to start fresh, if it's finally time to follow a dream or follow through on a tough decision. Make this year a "leap year" by taking strides toward the kind of life you don't just live, but love. Life coaching is a great way to make shifts in your life that will get you there. We are thrilled to offer you a 25% discount off all sessions booked through the end of February. Please call 310-650-8944 or email carley@mothercraftcoaching.com for more information.
IN MOTHERCRAFT NEWS...
Knobloch Featured in "The Well Mom"
Life Coach Carley Knobloch offers tips on how to survive Thanksgiving by giving yourself a "Turkey Day Getaway" in The Well Mom monthly newsletter! Click here to read.
|
|
GET ON YOUR OWN TEAM
Want to make changes in 2008? Start by rooting for yourself.
 The holiday season can fray the nerves of even the most together mom. It's hard enough to manage the everyday circus act of kids, work, fitness, marriage, home-keeping... but pile on the holiday extras - addressing stacks of cards, searching for budget-conscious gifts, and being the perpetually cheerful hostess? It can be ho, ho, horrific!
During the holiday months, the ever-present critical voice in my head got especially loud (maybe to ensure she was heard over the din of Christmas Music). No matter I was doing, she always found a way to let me know I was doing it badly. When I did a hurried dash from carpool to shopping mall to cocktail party, she scolded, Shouldn't you be relaxing more with your family? When I commiserated with friends about how relieved I'd be when the holidays were over, she quipped, Where's your gratitude? Time spent shopping should have been spent with the kids, time spent cooking should have been spent working... it's amazing I got anything done at all, with this constant berating in my head!
During the holidays or beyond, I haven't met a mom yet who doesn't have this constant stream of negativity in her head. We spend our lives being so supportive and nurturing to everyone else, yet our internal dialogue is scathing and critical. We would never be so abusive and unsupportive to a friend, or coworker, so it's time to stop unleashing on ourselves.
This year, a strong, powerful intention for all of us would be, simply, to give ourselves a break. And that starts with giving the Critical Voice some vacation time of her own. I call it, Getting On Your Own Team: Giving as much compassion, support and love to yourself as you extend to everyone else.
How can we accomplish this, when self-deprecation has become a mom's favorite pastime? Here are a few simple approaches:
Watch the Thinker
The Critical Voice thrives on pointing out ways you "should have" done something, leaving you feeling like a big-time failure. Have a few thoughts like this per hour, and it's the equivalent of a disapproving boss breathing down your neck. Not exactly motivating, is it? More like destructive and disheartening, negatively affecting our ability to make positive changes. So the next time you forget your son's lunchbox at home and mutter to yourself, Nice job, loser, take a moment to bring your attention to this negative talk. In The Power of Now, author Eckhart Tolle calls this "Watching the thinker". Observe your thoughts, without judgment, and simply say to yourself, Oh, there's Mrs. Negative again! The simple act of bringing awareness to the thought renders it powerless over you, and it quickly subsides. Practice this often and watch how the Critical Voice loses its stronghold over you.
Flip your focus
Instead of dwelling on the things you're doing wrong, start giving yourself props for the things you're doing right. Most moms place very little value on the hundreds of tasks they accomplish during each day. Take some time to start acknowledging how well you cleaned the kitchen, how efficiently you organized the family photos, how calmly you put the kids to bed, or how focused you were on your toddler during your evening Candy Land tournament. You can also praise yourself for the things you elect not to do. For example, kudos for resisting the urge to answer emails or nap while your baby dozes, because you know that rest restores your energy for the rest of your demanding day.
Remember, it starts with you
Talk a lot of trash to yourself? You could be setting yourself up for bad relationships with others. In his book, Life Strategies, Dr. Phil McGraw reminds us that, "You teach people how to treat you." This means that if you want to be treated lovingly and with respect, you have to set up boundaries that make unloving and disrespectful behavior unacceptable. But if your mind runs amok with hateful, heartless comments, it's not likely you'll receive better from others. So if your kids are masters at back-talk and your husband belittles you, your first step might be to clean up your own internal dialogue. The kindness you show yourself will inspire others to treat you the same way.
I don't often make New Year's resolutions, because I find that they are too imbued with pressure and rarely help one make lasting lifestyle changes. But I do believe that if you create a small intention, you're one step closer to having a small victory. So in 2008, make a conscious effort to treat yourself with love and honor, and I promise you'll reap huge rewards for your effort! Besides, moms need all the support they can get, so why not start with your best ally: You!
|
|
TESTIMONIALS
How Mothercraft is helps moms (and moms-to-be!)
 As the mother of a 2-year old, it's hard to stop myself from comparing my
daughter's development to that of other kids her age. Better than anyone else,
Carley is able to cut through to what is important and help me enjoy the developmental
stage Hannah is going through right at that moment, rather than focusing on what
she is or is not doing yet.
- Lauren S., Advertising/Sales, Hannah's Mom.
 Carley was my lifesaver when I was pregnant! I was so overloaded
with information, and she really helped me break everything down and
figure out what I needed to do, and what I didn't. More than any book
or class, Carley got me ready for motherhood. I know that whenever I
need a shoulder to cry on, or some great baby advice, she's my go-to
girl!
- A. Jacobs, New Mom
I am not a mom yet, but the stress of trying to become one has put a lot of pressure
on me as a wife and a woman. Carley has helped me put things into perspective.
With out her coaching I don't know if I would be able to take one more person asking me,
"So, when are you two going to have a baby, already!?" There are moments in this process
that my husband just doesn't understand. Thanks to Carley and her guidance I have
somewhere to go when I need to fall apart! She knows just how to build me back up.
- S. Rosenthal, Art Director
|
|
THINGS I LOVE
Eazy Bean's Sublime Sustainable Seating.
Have a seat, get inspired AND save the planet?! A tall order, met by Eazy bean's
beautiful sculptured pods. They've been making hip, minimal places to
sit for over 10 years, and I think their products are becoming modern
classics. This "Apple" bean is from their Fresh Produce collection,
which features giant egglplants, peaches, blueberries and pears. Just
imagine the possibilities: A spill of giant organic produce could
overtake your playroom! Their eye toward the environment and
sustainable designs make their beanbags even yummier: The fillers
contain no CFCs and can be recycled.
Inspire your kids to pretend they're in a giant orchard... or maybe to eat their vegetables? That's one powerful beanbag!
Available at Modernseed; visit eazybean.com for more information. |
|
|
COUPON!
|
 Save 25% on any life coaching sessions booked with Mothercraft between now and February 29th 2008! The more you book, the more you save. This offer is valid for individual sessions, as well as our packages. For more information, visit mothercraftcoaching.com. Save your sanity, AND a few bucks! This is a great way to make some lasting life changes this year! |
| COUPON CODE MC25 01/08-02 EXP. 03/2008 |
|
Carley Knobloch is the founder of Mothercraft, a life coaching company that specializes in helping mothers build truly amazing lives and families. She is a certified life coach, author, workshop leader, business consultant and busy work-at-home mother.
Carley specializes in parenting skills, home organization, meal planning and wellness coaching. She believes that every mom has the keys to the life and family of her dreams, and through her successful life coaching practice she helps them build the confidence they need to make lasting lifestyle changes. Whether it's a working mom who seeks balance between career and parenthood, or a stay-at-home mom who has lost her sense of self, she uses a proven process of prioritizing and self-discovery to help them find success on their own terms.
To learn more about one-on-one life coaching sessions or fun group workshops, contact Mothercraft at 310-650-8944, or by email. Your enlightening first session with Mom Coach Carley Knobloch will focus on all major areas of your life and provide a vision of your fullest potential, both as a mom and as a person.
Coaching can be conducted in person in the Los Angeles area, or over the telephone, so no client is too far away.
Contact Carley
or
Visit The Mothercraft Website!
|
|
|
|
