Taking Care Of Mama

When Mama gets sick, Papa and the kids wear themselves out doing the cooking and cleaning for the day.

From Caldecott Honor–winning author and illustrator Anita Lobel comes a sweet story about young rabbits taking care of their Mama Rabbit. This beloved classic picture book has been enlarged and refreshed for an immersive reading experience! Oh no, Mama Rabbit is sick in bed! Papa Rabbit has gone to get medicine, but her ten little rabbits want to help make her feel better. One by one, they each find their own way to cheer her up. Sometimes, love is the best medicine.

Many older adults are spending their golden years taking care of a spouse, elderly parent, or other relative. My book tells one such storythe story of a four-year journey my siblings and I took when our very independent mother had cancer surgery at age ninety. It tells of her resistance to some of her helpers and our struggles trying to have a normal life while caring for her. It tells also of the difficult decisions made on her behalf, especially that final decision to place her in a nursing facility. Two sisters born a decade apart to the same woman felt they were raised by different mothers. The older sister felt treated like a distant relative in the home but with responsibility for the care and behavior of the younger two, while the younger sister was the baby of the family and loved by all. It tells of the double standard prevalent in the South during the first five decades of the twentieth century and how proper Southern ladies were expected to conduct themselves. My story also reveals how someone who felt she was not cared for by her mother can find the courage and stamina to care for that mother when she can no longer care for herself. Research done after the fact is recorded to encourage and help the readers experience less confusion and heartache, and to have an easier time with care taking and decision making if any have to take a similar journey.

Many women enter motherhood with little preparation for the incredibly important, yet demanding job role before them. Taking Care of Mama is a conversational encouragement for anyone who is a mother or about to become one. At the heart of this book is the theme of mothers learning to look after themselves, while they are simultaneously looking after their little ones. It can be easy to lose oneself while meeting the family demands, but in order for mama to give her best to her husband and children, she must acknowledge that she is neither a superwoman nor a robot, but instead, she is a human being like the other members of her family. Mothers have needs themselves which must be met, including being able to understand emotions and feelings, holistically aiming to nourish themselves, being surrounded by a good community, and choosing to discover the beauty and joy in being mothers.

150 quick and easy self-care activities especially for busy moms—perfect for even the most chaotic schedule. As a mom, you care—a lot. Whether it be physical, emotional, social, or practical, you’re there to attend to all of your family’s needs. But with so much to take care of, it can be hard to find time to care of yourself. With Self-Care for Moms, you’ll learn how easy it is to incorporate self-care into your own routine in practical, yet meaningful, ways. In this book, you’ll find 150 realistic self-care activities that you can try right away. To help busy moms like you maximize any moment you can find for yourself, each activity is designed to fit easily within a set short time frame. For example: 5 minutes: Call a friend; Listen to a favorite song; Light a candle 15 minutes: Soak your feet; Read a chapter in a book; Enjoy a leisurely cup of tea 30 minutes: Give yourself a facial; Plan for a vacation; Go for a walk 1 hour: Meet a friend for lunch; Go for a manicure; Attend a workout class You’ll also find ideas for activities that span larger amounts of time for inspiration and motivation to take some much-needed and well-earned extra time for yourself. There’s even a few aspirational activities, such as trips or projects, that last a day—or more—with a realistic plan for how to organize and coordinate your schedule to accommodate the occasional—but very important—extended time to focus on yourself. Start taking time for you—it’s easier than you think and besides, you deserve it!

Many women enter motherhood with little preparation for the incredibly important, yet demanding job role before them. Taking Care of Mama is a conversational encouragement for anyone who is a mother or about to become one. At the heart of this book is the theme of mothers learning to look after themselves, while they are simultaneously looking after their little ones. It can be easy to lose oneself while meeting the family demands, but in order for mama to give her best to her husband and children, she must acknowledge that she is neither a superwoman nor a robot, but instead, she is a human being like the other members of her family. Mothers have needs themselves which must be met, including being able to understand emotions and feelings, holistically aiming to nourish themselves, being surrounded by a good community, and choosing to discover the beauty and joy in being mothers.

You’ve Got This, Mama: A Mother’s Guide To Embracing The Chaos And Living An Empowered Life is a beautiful collection of heartwarming and inspiring stories told by the real mamas who experienced them. Let’s face it, motherhood is the hardest job you’ll ever love, and it is not meant to be braved alone. It takes a village, right? There is no greater comfort than knowing you’re not alone. One, if not many, of these gorgeous souls will provide you with that. We can be your village, and lucky for you, we fit in your diaper bag. This book, much like motherhood, is full of emotion, joy, sadness, excitement, hardships, love, and beautiful chaos. Our authors share their most intimate journeys and reflections with you in hopes to empower and provide you the judgment-free support we all deserve. We will help you up when you’ve fallen, shine a light during those dark times, and fan out your cape for you, Supermom. The mama tribe is here to help you take motherhood by the horns and if nothing else, prove to you, yes indeed, you’ve got this!