The lives of most modern mums tend to revolve around the needs of their children. Although being a mum is a highly rewarding role, it brings with it plenty of sleep deprivation, worry and stress. If you are leading a busy family life, your health and wellbeing will inevitably have an impact on what you are able to do for your children. If you are feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated and exhausted, making time for self-care can help to re-energise you and re-awaken your lust for life.

As busy mums, we tend to spend all our time fulfilling the needs of our children and our partner. Suddenly your ...

“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."

Marilyn Monroe

The expectations of others, whether they belong to family, friends, colleagues or general society, have a major influence on the way you think, behave and live your life. Yet until you realise the key to true life happiness is to stop trying to live the life others want and expect you to live, you will continue to allow unfounded opinions, outdated ideals and negative judgements knock your confidence and self-esteem.

Throughout life you have worked towards achieving the expectations others have had of you. You wor...

Life isn’t easy and when you’re busy juggling the responsibilities of motherhood with everything else you have to do, you can be left feeling unfulfilled and unappreciated. If you’re feeling low with little self-esteem, it is likely you also feel devalued by those around you, which has a significant impact on the way you feel about yourself.

Learning to love and accept yourself is the key to a happier and more fulfilling life. It enables you to value yourself and everything you do without having to rely on the recognition of other people. It gives you the motivation to go on and achieve great...

Many mums tell me that they feel constantly on the go and life seems to be passing them by in a whirl of washing, cleaning, work and school pick-ups! This constant cycle makes them feel resentful, frustrated and a victim of circumstances. At this stage, these mums feel so lost they don’t know how they can possibly re-build their confidence and regain their lost sparkle. I tell them one thing: be optimistic!

Self-belief and positive thinking are intrinsically linked with confidence, happiness and life fulfilment. With belief, we can set out to achieve anything! I say to these mums,

“Do not th...

When you became a mum, did you ever realise you would worry so much about every aspect of your child’s life? Do you think it is possible that the worries you have about your child’s wellbeing stir up fears in other aspects of your life? Does it take you a long time to make a simple decision? Do you have to talk about every possible outcome before you allow yourself to make a choice?  If you have become more anxious since becoming a mum, perhaps it is time to open up about your worries and fears so you can overcome them once and for all.

Life is no fun when you find yourself worrying about wha...

At the start of a New Year, it is customary to make resolutions for a better life. Of course such traditions often lead to unachievable goals being set that do not fit practically with busy lifestyles. Yet realistic resolutions made at the start of the year – the goals that you really want to achieve – are highly motivating and valuable. Setting realistic goals will help you achieve the life you really want and give you something on which you can focus and work towards over the coming months. The key to successful resolutions is actually straight forward:

• Identify what you really want
• Ask
...

2013 was always at risk of being a bit of a “damp squib”. Not only does it contain the fateful number 13, unlucky for some, it followed what was possibly the most exciting year in our generation’s history (in case you’re wondering, I’m referring to the Jubilee, Royal Wedding and Olympics!). Yet goals will still have been achieved this year, records broken, lives born and new ideas launched. So what was the best thing to happen to you in 2013?

Did something amazing happen this year? The big achievements are the easy, obvious moments to celebrate but it is often the small stuff that really make...

If the life you’re living seems too fast-paced, you’re working at a job that gives you no satisfaction and you find yourself constantly saying, “I’ll do that later" or “We’ll do that soon”, it is likely you’re feeling underwhelmed with your current lifestyle! Modern families tend to lead hectic schedules full of monotonous routines, dashing from activity to activity with little fun or enjoyment thrown in. If this sounds familiar, perhaps now is the time to make those all-important changes that will bring confidence, balance and joy back into your life.

Take some time over the next few weeks a...

Weekends can suddenly disappear into a whirlwind of DIY, catching up with friends and and never-ending piles of ironing. However, the thing most parents want to do at the weekend is spend quality time with their kids. Making time for quality moments with your children can be tricky but not impossible, if you make it a priority.

The easiest and best way to allocate quality time is to mark “FAMILY TIME” on the calendar over three hours on a Saturday or Sunday – and ensure it happens. Do this every weekend because even this short amount of time can help you to re-connect, catch up and have fun. ...

When you’re feeling exhausted, run down and unfulfilled with life, refer to this quick and easy guide that reminds you why ‘me time’ is so essential to your happiness!

Mums need time out: don’t feel guilty because you have your own needs to fulfil. Your children get so much of your attention but you are still entitled to enjoy your own interests.

Energise your body and mind: enjoying time out will reinvigorate you, both physically and mentally. It will make you feel refreshed and ready to face whatever challenges come your way!

Today’s the day! Don’t forget to schedule time out in your diar...