Mummying and Thriving

✨ New Episode Alert!Get ready for a soul-stirring conversation that will set your passion ablaze! 🔥 In today's release, I had the privilege of chatting with the remarkable Yi-Hwa Hanna, an award-winning writer and multimedia journalist.Discover how she transformed her passion into a thriving career, proving that the pursuit of what ignites your soul is the key to a fulfilling life. 🚀 Don't miss this empowering episode – Yi-Hwa shared invaluable nuggets that can guide you through the journey of finding and pursuing your passion.Are you ready to be inspired and motivated to chase your dreams? 🌟 Make sure you tune in to the full conversation! 🔥🎙️KEY HIGHLIGHTS: ✅ Meeting Yi-Hwa (01:00)✅ Winning the 2023 Emirates Literature Foundation Writing Competition (02:00)✅ Discovering her passion and staying consistent (14:53)✅ Advice on holding on to your passion (22:25)✅ Finding a balance (27:08)✅ Overcoming creative block (32:30)✅ Yi-Hwa's hope for the future (42:57)_____________________________________________________Let's continue the conversation on:Instagram: https://instagram.com/mummyingandthriving?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Spotify: https://spotify.link/P3z6LIfc8CbTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandthriving?_t=8fj8yYI4mZB&_r=1https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this week's powerful episode, join us for a deep dive into the impact of childhood trauma with our incredible guest, Dr. Shola Tijani. As a USA board-certified Pediatrician, Dr. Shola brings professional expertise and personal passion to this critical topic.Discover the far-reaching effects of childhood trauma, gain insights on recognizing signs, and explore strategies for providing support. Dr. Shola's wealth of experience as a paediatrician and a loving mother makes this conversation invaluable.And here's the special touch – she's not just our esteemed guest; she's family! Listen to the end for practical insights, heartfelt stories, and a renewed understanding of the importance of addressing childhood trauma.KEY HIGHLIGHTS: ✅ Meeting Dr. Shola (01:02)✅ Gist of the Week (02:19)✅ Childhood Story (07:03)✅ Highs and Lows of Being A Doctor in the US (11:03)✅ Balancing Motherhood and Career (13:56)✅ Talk on Adverse Childhood Experiences (19:47)✅ Importance of Therapy (27:19)✅ Signs You Can See as A Responsible Adult (36:51)_____________________________________________________Let's continue the conversation on:Instagram: https://instagram.com/mummyingandthriving?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Spotify: https://spotify.link/P3z6LIfc8CbTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandthriving?_t=8fj8yYI4mZB&_r=1https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

On this week's podcast episode, we had the pleasure of diving deep into a conversation with the remarkable Ejiro Osakede, known as the Energetic E.J. Her energy is nothing short of infectious; it's a force that uplifts everyone she encounters.Ejiro wears many hats, each one brilliantly. She's an accomplished Podcaster, Audiobook Narrator, Producer, Sound Engineer, Singer, and Life Coach. Her passion lies in helping women rediscover their abandoned dreams and harness the power of their voices for healing, influence, and legacy.In this episode, Ejiro shared invaluable insights on how to harness both your literal and implied voice to create a positive impact in the lives of others. The conversation is nothing short of fascinating, and you won't want to miss a moment.Tune in till the end, as this episode promises to be an engaging and inspiring experience that will leave you with a renewed sense of purpose.KEY HIGHLIGHTS: ✅ Meeting Ejiro (01:00)✅ Ejiro's Formative Years (02:44)✅ What is our Voice? (17:41)✅ Accent and Good Speaking Voice (22:44)✅ Implied Voice is Your Message (27:51)✅ Trying Something New (33:08)✅ Practical Steps to Using Your Voice (41:58)✅ Letting Go of Pain That Prevents Us From Moving Forward (50:11)✅ About Stretch Street Podcast (55:55)_____________________________________________________Let's continue the conversation on:Instagram: https://instagram.com/mummyingandthriving?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Spotify: https://spotify.link/P3z6LIfc8CbTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandthriving?_t=8fj8yYI4mZB&_r=1https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this week's podcast episode, we had a heart-to-heart chat with our guest, Korede Adesanoye. She bravely shared her unique journey to becoming a mom.Korede's story is both touching and inspiring. She went through the difficult experience of losing her first child, Ademide. It was a painful journey, but Korede found the strength to heal and became the loving mom of two adorable daughters.What makes this episode particularly meaningful for me is the personal connection. Just like Korede, I've also navigated the tough path of high-risk pregnancies.This connection allowed us to have a candid and relatable conversation.Together, we talked about the ups and downs of motherhood, the sacrifices it demands, and the importance of sharing their stories.This episode is filled with raw emotions and real-life experiences. It's a reminder of the incredible strength that mothers possess. Tune in to hear these powerful stories, gain insights, and be inspired by the unbreakable spirit of motherhood. Don't miss this episode; it's a testament to the strength of moms everywhere.KEY HIGHLIGHTS: ✅ Korede's Background (01:21)✅ Journey to Motherhood (09:52)✅ Ademide's Delivery (20:53)✅ Making a Sad Decision (31:32)✅ What kept her going (33:38)✅ Trying for another baby (37:30)✅ In a dark place (48:20)✅ Hyperreflexia after second delivery (56:10)✅ Exercise and good diet (01:09:03)_____________________________________________________Let's continue the conversation on:Instagram: https://instagram.com/mummyingandthriving?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Spotify: https://spotify.link/P3z6LIfc8CbTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandthriving?_t=8fj8yYI4mZB&_r=1https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this thought-provoking episode titled "Finding Purpose While Waiting," we embark on an inspiring journey with our guest, Christiana Bamidele. 🌟Christiana is a beacon of hope and wisdom. With a heart full of faith, she's here to share her profound insights on discovering purpose during life's waiting seasons.Join us as we dive deep into the meaning behind those moments of anticipation, and how they can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, transformation, and ultimately, fulfilling our life's purpose.Get ready for a soul-nourishing conversation that will remind you that every waiting period has a hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and tune in for inspiring conversations that will help you thrive in all areas.Key Highlights:✅ Formative Years (02:04)✅ Adapting to a new country (06:56)✅ Content Creator Journey (10:14 )✅ Doing what feels right even but seems illogical (16:18)✅ Eliminate Distractions (23:34)✅ Lessons learned so far (25:08)✅ Intentional Networking (30:12)✅ Why women struggle to make connections (33:28)✅ What is Purpose? (41:10)✅ Write down your vision (46:24)✅ Walking in purpose while waiting (49:20)✅ Her waiting story (51:50)✅ Be encouraged with Christiana (01:04:03)______________________________________________________Let's continue the conversation at:Instagram: https://instagram.com/mummyingandthriving?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Spotify: https://spotify.link/P3z6LIfc8CbTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandthriving?_t=8fj8yYI4mZB&_r=1https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this week's episode, we had a heartfelt conversation with Sharon Missah and went deep into the challenging journey of "Overcoming Divorce." Sharon is a senior marketing and communications expert and the Founder and Host of Let's Talk DXB  Join us as we share personal stories and practical advice on finding healing, resilience, and a fresh start after the storm of divorce.Whether you're navigating the process yourself or supporting a loved one, this episode offers guidance and hope for a brighter future. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and tune in for inspiring conversations that will help you thrive in all areas.Key Highlights: ✅ Gist of the Week (1:30)✅ Sharon's early years in Suffolk (07:03)✅ Adapting to life as a black British ex-pat in Dubai (9:13)✅ What led to the Divorce (15:58)✅ Getting divorced in 6 weeks  (19:02)✅ Her journey to authenticity and liberation (26:14)✅ A passion project birth from pain (34:23)✅ LET'S TALK DXB (43:12)______________________________________________________Let's continue the conversation at: Instagram: https://instagram.com/mummyingandthri...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MVQ...Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandth...https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

 In this week’s episode, I had to pleasure of talking with Azalia, who is a mum illustrator, storyteller, content creator,  mental health advocate, and influencer( Talk about wearing many hats). We met in the most interesting way and have been kindred spirits ever since. I believe she has one of the coolest pages on Instagram,  which she dedicates to mums and advocates mental health.  Check out her page here:https://www.instagram.com/azaliasuhaimi/We dived into some of the raw emotions and struggles she went through when becoming a mum for the first time and how professional help gave her the tools to cope. Azalia was recently featured on Huffington Post. Check out the article here:https://www.huffpost.com/entry/motherhood-comics-dear-mama_l_63bc70f3e4b0ae9de1c09542 Episode Highlights The interesting way we met 5:24 Transition to motherhood struggle 9:10 Creatives and mental health conditions 11:14 Seeking professional help 15:30 Storytelling  Vs. Social media in our parenting 18:01 Two things all mums should do 25:43 Azalia's biggest life lesson so far 28:50 The not-so-political-correct response 32:01Follows us on Instagram and TikTokInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mummyingandthriving/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyingandthriving?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this episode, we turn the mic around and ask questions to our podcast host.  Toyin shares her journey to becoming a published children's book author.   She highlights the obstacles and self-doubts,  the twist and turns as well as how she navigated her path to this stage. Remi (The guest host) asked her questions about her writing process and also who her favorite characters are.  Overall, this episode is just a peek into an authentic conversation between two friends and two mums.Toyin's first children's book 'Barki The Brave' is now available on online bookstores worldwide.https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this week's episode, we had a heart-to-heart,  authentic conversation with Dr. Chinenye about parenting children with special needs.  She shared her personal experience and her journey after she found out her son has autism. Although our conversation was serious and sensitive, we had lots of laughter. I mean tummy stitches, belly laughs that just made our hearts full.I have known Dr. Chinenye for over 20 years but I saw a different side of her in this conversation. Her resolve and passion for children with special needs came shining through.  On a personal note, I must say how proud I am of her growth and confidence as she navigates parenthood and a challenging career as a doctor. Here are some highlights from the conversation Childhood memories and funny stories 1:53 Screen addiction is causing attention depletion 7.30 Cocomelon can contribute  to speech delay 12.06 I cried when I found out  21.18The positive possibilities of Autism 28.17 Three sectors in Nigeria that need an overhaul 33.58 It is not your fault 43.16 What you can do 45.08 The role of religious organizations 54.37https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

Do you want to achieve more success in 2023? Then this episode is for you. I share some of the tools that have made me more productive and successful in achieving my goals.This is not about new year's resolutions because we all know what the success rate for resolutions is like. It works for some people but for others, it doesn’t. What actually happens is that most people loose their momentum after the first quarter of the year. To ensure this doesn't happen to you, here are tried and tested tools that will help you in achieving success.1.    Start with your mind2.      Create a vision board3.    Find your Tribe and Accountability Partners.  4.    Consistency and Discipline5.    Grit6.    Celebrate, Congratulate and Collaborate7.    RestBuy Barki The Brave Here: https://linktr.ee/toyinakanniAtomic Habits By James Clear https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsEverything is Figureoutable By Maria Foleo https://www.marieforleo.com/blog/everything-is-figureoutable-paperbackhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

There is no better way to start wrapping up the year than by reflecting and looking at areas we can improve on. In this week’s episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to a career coach who has transformed the lives of many while working on her 9-5 and running her career consulting business.Fiyin has a natural and effective way of motivating you to level up your careers. Don’t underestimate what a LinkedIn profile makeover can do for you. Fiyin was an absolute delight to talk to. The conversation flowed with ease as she simultaneously dropped bombs of wisdom. Here are some highlights. ·        Humble beginnings 6:33·        The power of accountability  13:16·        Disparity between genders in the workplace 17:14·        Assertive Feminine Energy 22:42·        Career Advice (PIE) 34:16Fiyin is a passionate 9-5er who has used her passion for career growth to build a successful business training other corporate professionals. She currently serves as the Hair Care Regional Marketing Manager- For the Godrej Africa, USA & Middle East Cluster with strategic responsibility for brands such Mega Growth, TCB Naturals, African Pride; to name a few. She is also the Founder and Lead Coach at EmpowerU Career Consulting.Her experience straddles across brand management, innovation, digital marketing, and recruitment globally gained through managing world-class brands from previous employers- Mondelez International, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Guinness Nigeria Plc (A Diageo Company) to name a few. Shehas won twenty-seven internal awards across these companies for her commitment to innovation and performance in addition to multiple external advertising and recognition awards.She’s been featured on the BBC UK, Channels TV, Rubbing Minds with Ebuka, Arise TV, TVC, Plus TV, JobRadio, Inspiration FM; to name a few and was on the YNAIJA Powerlist for Corporate Nigeria twice andwas nominated for the renowned The Future Awards Africa Prize in the professional service category for excellence and impact in the corporate world. She was named a Top 10 Career Influencer in Africa bythe Career Influencer Awards in 2020 for her efforts in training and developing thousands of Africa. She was listed as one of 100 most influential Leading Ladies in Africa 2021 and was nominated for the Career Coach of the year award, ELOY 2021.Fiyin is a seasoned speaker who’s spoken at many industry conferences and networks across Nigeria, Kenya, Turkey, Pakistan, and the UK. In her spare time, she's an adrenaline junkie and enjoys travelling- 36 countries and counting.You can connect with Fiyin here:https://empoweru.ng/https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

On this week of the 'Boss Mum' series, we meet the energetic and exceptional Jade Oyateru. Jade is a co-founder and coo of an amazing VC-backed brand called Uncover. They are revolutionizing women’s self-care on the African continent. As a nutritionist and consumer goods expert, she is a firm believer in holistic self-care. She has over a decade’s experience building global & local brands with FMCG's like Nestle, Unilever as well as e-commerce players Kasha and Jumia. She was awarded an MBA from Imperial College London.  In her spare time, she loves sleeping, good food,  dancing,  tennis and exploring the world with her family.Highlights Include: Early Boss Traits  (Party Organiser) 5:40Jade's biggest career hack 14:58 A painful career experience   17:36 How realistic is it to balance motherhood and a career  23:45Jade's surprising  top self-care  29:11Tips for mums who want to start a business 37:58 Checkout Jade's revolutionizing skincare brand here:Website https://uncoverskincare.coInstagram https://www.instagram.com/uncoverskincareco Shop https://linktr.ee/uncoverskincarecoBuy Toyin's new picture book here:Barki The Brave https://linktr.ee/toyinakannihttps://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

On this week's episode of our 'Boss Mum Series', we speak with Jenny Abamu a US Diplomat and former journalist. We discussed everything from her early childhood experiences, her challenges, and how she landed a job as a US diplomat.  She took us on a journey where she shares her truths and gives practical advice about making strides in the workplace.  Some highlights areAs a child, I was strong-willed and sometimes labeled rebellious. 5:29Sometimes I had to sleep in my car. 18:17Motherhood is hard, I crashed. 23:46Jenny's biggest lesson about motherhood. 33:10Maternity leave 44:31Jenny Abamu is a U.S. Diplomat headed to Madrid, Spain. Previously, she served worked in the U.S. Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She has been married for almost 10 years and is the mother of two boys, a two-year-old and a three-month-old.  Jenny joined the U.S. Foreign Service from WAMU, the local NPR news station in Washington, D.C. There she worked as an education reporter, appearing on shows and producing local and national investigations. Her work has been nominated for multiple awards. She came to WAMU from EdSurge, where she had been a reporter and podcast cohost. She previously worked at Columbia University’s EdLab as a writer for their publication. In New York, Jenny also worked at NY1 News Channel as a field journalist, researcher, planner, and overnight assignment editor. A native of Dallas, Texas, she has a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s in International and Comparative Education from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. She speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, and Turkish. --https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

For the month of November 2022, we will be interviewing Boss Mums. These are Mums who are absolutely killing it in the workplace. Our goal for this series is to inspire people who want to get back into work,  mums who want to have better finances   and those who want to achieve more in their careers.We all know that women face discrimination in the workplace especially when they are taking time out to have kids.  This series will explore how we can navigate through those setbacks and push forward successfully. Our guest will share their stories in a truthful and unfiltered way with the aim to create awareness and inspiration.  On this episode, we have the pleasure of having  Nengi Akinola.Nengi is a Senior Marketing Manager at FairMoney, a Fintech company in Nigeria, a Talent manager to creative influencers in Nigeria @FSVTalent Management agency.In her spare time, she loves to dabble in interior decoration; having successfully completed 2 decor projects.Nengi Akinola is also an experienced Marketing expert and Tech leader with over 12 years of Brand & Strategic Management experience. She is well-versed in Marketing strategy, Brand Storytelling, Advertising, PR & Media Management, Digital Marketing, and Corporate Communications. She has worked across multiple industries in Fintech, FMCG, Consumer Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, and the Public sector.Highlights of her career include starting and growing the Global consumer electronics brand, OPPO from scratch in Nigeria in 2018, and currently leading the transformation of the Leading Fintech Brand; FairMoney from a lending company to a Credit-led Digital bank in Nigeria.https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

 Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. But  Fear isn't only the enemy. It has been one of our biggest ALLY. On a primordial level, it has kept us alive.  The fear of a perceived threat has enabled us to survive as a specie.Fear has had its advantages throughout history. It is essentially programmed into our brain and nervous system to give us the instincts we need to keep ourselves safe from danger. In essence, in a life-and-death situation,  say, for example, you are in a jungle, and a lion is coming to attack you.  Fear kicks in, sending signals to our brains.  Our fight or flight response goes on full blast, and our body works with our nervous system to release Andrealine and Cortisol, which pumps out a surge of energy that allows us to escape or overcome that situation. However, this isn't the case for most of us.  We aren't in the jungle anymore? But why is fear such a dominant factor in our lives? Why are we afraid to put ourselves out there? I heard a saying once  not sure if it was Myles Monroe or Les brown, but it says The graveyard is the richest place on earth because there you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.” SO WHAT ARE WE AFRAID OF?Is it perhaps the fear of humiliation? Is it Fear of rejection? Fear of lack of acceptance.Fear of Judgement Fear of losing your social status Fear of not being in control Fear of the unknown etc..We can't allow fear win and control us. What is the thing you want to achieve hiding on the other side of fear? Discover it! Chase it! and  Do it!https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

This week on  @Mummying and Thriving we hear a true story of a brave mum, who went through both pre & postpartum depression. Her story is unique yet relatable. She shares how she cried several times before discovering she had 9 out of 10 symptoms of depression.We explored how she was able to identify the signs and seek help in order to overcome her challenges.Thank you Temi for sharing your story with us.You can connect with Temi on  @Mother's Haven Podcast Listen to more of our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcast, AmazonMusic, and Deezer  @Mummying and Thriving ​https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

In this episode, we discussed our children's wellness and mental well-being. We explored how we get them to speak up if they are stressed or are going through a tough time. What the signs are and what to look out for that will indicate when there is an issue. How do we resolve a crisis? We had the pleasure of having Naomi. Naomi is a qualified counsellor and social worker with over 10 years of experience.  She has helped adults and now works with children with serious mental health difficulties in her 9 to 5 job. For the last 3 years, Naomi has been using this powerful knowledge and skills to benefit the BAME community who may experience barriers in looking after their mental health through TWP, which is celebrating being registered as a community interest company. We started with a question posted anonymously by a parent who says her daughter has anxiety and is refusing to go to school. Naomi defined what mental health is.Based on the definition, we explored different scenarios and explained whether we could classify certain things, such as bullying, as a social or mental health concern.According to the mental health of America’s website, these are some of the core ingredients for building a solid foundation for stable mental health for our children.Unconditional love from familySelf-confidence and high self-esteemThe opportunity to play with other childrenEncouraging teachers and supportive caretakersSafe and secure surroundingsAppropriate guidance and disciplineHowever, we know that life happens we aren't always able to achieve the list above.  Naomi mentions that just as physical scars heal, we also have mental scars. It is important to know our children will also have mental scars. But form a good relationship with them so they can speak to you if there are in a crisis. If communication is a problem, seek a mental health practitioner or a child therapist to help resolve the issue. Bear in mind mitigating mental health issues isn't a sprint; it is a marathon.  Patience will be needed, and open lines of communication between all parties involved.Below is a list of things to do to build our children's confidence and improve their mental wellness.Be Honest - Do not hide your failures from your children. They need to know that we all make mistakes. It can be very reassuring to know that adults are not perfect.Avoid Sarcastic Remarks - If a child loses a game or fails a test, find out how he or she feels about the situation. Children may get discouraged and need a pep talk. Later, when they are ready, talk and offer assurance.Apologise when you offend them: It doesn't make you weak or make them weak on the contrary, it makes them stronger and more emotionally intelligent.Encourage children - To not only strive to do their best but also to enjoy the process. Trying new activities teaches children about teamwork, self-esteem and new skill.Get knowledge and equip yourself. There are a lot of free parenting courses and mental health courses. From autism awareness to managing anger issues etc.Speak to a qualified mental health practitioner if applicable. Keep open lines of communication with teachers, school counsellors and all involved in your child's care.Links to Parenting courses on Brit Safe Mental Health First Aid Coursehttps://www.britsafe.org Free Mental Health Courseshttps://mentalhealthcourses.org.uk/ Free Parenting Courses-https://theaimgroup.co.uk/coursesMost UK local authorities run parenting and mental health courseshttps://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72

Motherhood today is very different from what it was before. Sure, we go through the same process, conceiving, being pregnant for about 40 weeks, giving birth, breastfeeding, tacking tantrums and raising these little humans to be well-adjusted adults.  But in reality, so many things have changed in our fast-growing, technologically advancing world. How we parent now differs from how our parents and grandparents looked after us. According to Dr, Harvey Karp, he states that "No woman has ever had to do as much, on her own, as the modern mother. We don't have the same family or neighbourhood structure anymore.' The key word here is ON HER OWN.In the last decade, there has been steep growth in self-help and awareness around childhood trauma has meant that we now have a higher standard of parenting, but our support system(Village) has grown smaller. The excess stress and pressure from everyday life as well as social media platforms have led to an increase in maternal mental health issues.Here are four things we can do to mitigate this situation. I have named this FAST. F A STing is a spiritual practice many cultures agree is beneficial as it cleanses and gives clarity. We aren't discussing fasting today, but I think this acronym has a nice right to it.  So F means  ·        Find a new village- This can be in the form of car sharing, troubles and triumphs and taking turns for babysitting so that you can have the odd date night. Your village can also be virtual. I am part of absolutely remarkable facebook groups for mums where people ask questions on any topic, and the responses are very supportive and helpful. ·       Ask for help—Everyone needs help and support. You aren't weak when you ask for help. On the contrary, it may be one of the bravest things you do. Knowing you are struggling or have an area of weakness, then seeking help to solve the issue is brave.  If you can afford it, pay for help. Either a nanny or a cleaner that can come a few times a week to help you around the house. ·       Set aside some time daily for self-care. This may be about 30mins- 1 hour, where you aren't doing anything for anyone except yourself. I know mums who get up 30 minutes earlier so they can have that time alone in the morning to work out, meditate, or do yoga. It could seem like a lot, but prioritizing this rejuvenates you to handle your responsibilities.It could even be a 30 mins nap, a spa date, or even a home facial. Do what you feel you need to do to recuperate. Call a friend that you know can make you laugh. Laughter is therapeutic.  ·        Talk to someone. If you find yourself feeling low or even unclear about certain things, talk to someone. Talk to a therapist and get medical help from a healthcare professional. You will be surprised how many people are in a similar situation. https://open.spotify.com/show/2jcvzwY2fO57JRr0XlEElr?si=49e2d8afb5dc4d72