New-Mom-of-2 Strategy #2 - A Shower A Day...

I cannot stress enough the importance of feeling good about the way you look enhancing your experience as a new mom - or being a long-time mom with a new baby. Yes, you're exhausted. Yes, your patience is being tested. Yes, you are probably a few pounds above your "fighting weight." However, sitting around in sweats and your pair pulled into a ponytail and a baseball cap will do little for your confidence or self esteem. Do yourself a favor and take a shower once a day and put on a fresh set of clothes that you feel good about wearing. This sounds simple. However, coming from a mom who spent the first 3 months living in sweats or pjs following the birth of her first son, it is not always easy.

I have implemented the strategy of taking a shower first thing every morning before my husband leaves for work. That way I get 15 to 20 minutes in the bathroom alone to shower, moisturize, tweeze, and dress without having to attend to anyone else. It is wonderfully refreshing and allows me some high-premium quiet time to start my day. Starting the day out feeling clean and looking well-groomed does wonders for my attitude. I wouldn't think of going to work outside the home without doing these basic things. Why would they be less important working inside the home? This simple step in self-care is also setting a good example for your older kids. Additionally, this way if any plans change during the day and I need to leave the home unexpectedly, I'm prepared and look reasonable instead of having to slink around in a baseball cal and sunglasses and pray no one recognizes me. 

This leads me to tip #3 - go ahead and buy some new non-pregnancy clothes in the size you currently need. ...