When this blog post was first published in 2021, it was the first blog post I wrote postpartum after having our baby girl. After over 12 hours of unmedicated labor, I officially became a mom to an amazing baby girl. My husband and I became a mommy and a daddy. Originally, this post was written as a way for new moms to talk about the role of journaling in the postpartum journey and newborn phase. Now, this post is more of an invitation to use journaling as a tool for lots of different aspects of motherhood. Motherhood is a remarkable journey filled with joy, laughter, and countless moments that you don’t want to miss. Yet, amidst the chaos, it's easy for busy moms to feel overwhelmed by the demands of nurturing a family, managing a variety of household items, and balancing work-related tasks. In the whirlwind of diapers, playdates, and bedtime routines, moms need to carve out moments for themselves, moments for reflection, and ultimately use journaling as an outlet for self-care. In this blog post, I invite you to explore practical tools for planning, goal-setting, continuous learning, and stress management. All by using a notebook or journal as your sidekick.

The first week of working in a more structured routine means that we HAVE to start with identity work. I would do this type of activity if the kids were toddlers or in high school, and it seems even more important that this little one is my own. Anything that we are learning has to start with her interests. This week’s theme is a heartwarming topic that's close to every parent's heart: All About Me and Affirmations. I wanted to include the activities that we were going to focus on for the week and how they connect to each other. The goal is to keep those tiny hands busy but also lay the foundation for a strong sense of self-confidence and positivity. This post includes an overview of morning activities for Monday-Thursday. So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, get ready to dive into the world of imaginative play, and let's celebrate our toddlers as the incredible individuals they are!

Creative writing isn’t just for famous authors or story writers. One thing I have really noticed since becoming a mother is that imagination and play have such a huge role in our lives, and as we get older, the former methods of play kind of fall away. They seem not needed. Almost trivial. In the classroom, creativity and imagination in the form of free writing with limited rules are one of the most beloved activities that kids crave year after year. It is not because it works in every single classroom, it is because they can feel that imagination and be able to play is fun again. Learning should be fun. Also, life and having kids should be fun.

Mamas have all sorts of stories to tell.

Stories of when we were kids.

Stories of times before we had our own children.

Stories of giving birth and labor.

Stories of how we adjusted to parenthood.

Stories of raising little ones.

Stories about our fears and triumphs, our hurts, and our hearts that now walk outside of our bodies.

We keep these stories in important places. We carry them in our physical beings and in our minds. We take pictures to not forget these moments. We write down important moments. We teach our babies about the value of stories. The power of creative writing unlocks the ability to share the real stories that happen to form the memories in our lives, and it allows us to dive deeper into our imaginations. We teach our babies to think "outside of the box," and our writing allows us the same outlet for play. Creative writing allows us to be heard in some way. We get to be silly. We get to have fun. In many cases, we get to heal. If children learn about their worlds through exploration and play, we can learn about ourselves through the stories inside of us.

Mama, you are already a writer without putting one word down on the page. This post contains a free resource to download or preview, and anyone can pull from the creative writing prompts to find inspiration, fun, and play.

Before having a baby, I loved to write down powerful sayings, save quotes on my social media feeds, or underline important phrases in books. After giving birth, I am realizing that affirmations really help you control the narrative of the daily conversations you have with yourself. The postpartum period right after giving birth is a time when you don’t have the time or energy to monitor what you are saying to yourself, but it is the most important time in those first few weeks that the things you say to yourself matter more than you can ever know. Keeping track of the inner conversation as a mama is part of the healing process. Whether you choose to write some of these affirmations down on a sticky note or grab your favorite journal, take what you need based on how you feel. This post is really like the postpartum affirmations buffet. Please help yourself to a serving of self-love and care. Then, when you are feeling frustrated, alone, tired, or discouraged, make sure you give yourself another serving if needed. This post has 100+ affirmations that aren’t fluff. Whether you are struggling with breastfeeding or feeling alone after giving birth, jot down a mantra or a saying that you can tell yourself over morning coffee or when you find one quiet moment in the bathroom.