For some of us motherless mothers, the holiday of Mother’s Day is bittersweet. Is this a day to remember our moms? A day to celebrate our own motherhood? A little of both?

Here’s a lovely idea I wanted to share to honour our mothers: Capture the essence of her, whether alive or passed on & write a short story of her life. Starting with a photograph, a letter, a recipe or memory of your mom, write a few paragraphs or a couple of pages of facts you know about her life. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple.

If you are lucky to have a mom who’s still here, perhaps shoot a little video of your mom this Mother’s Day. Ask her a few questions about her life. Or for those of us who can’t do that, why not create a small list of interview questions and ask your kids what they think of you.  Video tape them answering or just write down the answers. Again, keep it simple and just do it. Life goes by so quickly and ideas fall to the wayside. It’s nice to have these kinds of memories to look back on and they are super easy to do.

You will be glad you did!

So your little bundle of joy has arrived, and the weight gain you were hoping was mostly water and baby has not disappeared overnight. What’s a new mum to do? First, relax and give your body time to recover.  Your body has gone through incredible changes during the nine months of pregnancy; don’t expect to be back to your pre-baby self in a few short weeks.

Right after baby arrives, kegel, kegel, kegel! This often neglected exercise engages the pubococcygeus (or PC) muscle, helping to prevent urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse. Tighten your front and back passages, feeling a gentle squeezing and lifting in the pelvic area. Practice several times a day, varying the amount of time holding the squeeze, e.g. doing ten kegels, holding each for a count of three, then doing ten kegels in quick succession. Another important post–natal exercise is the pelvic tilt. Lying on your back with your feet on the floor, contract the PC muscle, imagining that your pelvis is a bowl filled with water that you are trying to spill onto your chest. In the starting position, you should feel a space between your lower back and the floor; as you tilt your pelvis, your lower back should be flat to the floor. Hold for a count of three, relax and repeat. Try three sets of ten repetitions to start.

When you feel up to it, short walks with baby are a great way to gradually reintroduce exercise into your daily routine. Each day, walk a little further and stimulate your body’s “feel good” chemicals, endorphins. Research has shown that exercise can reduce the risk of post-partum depression. Exercising with your baby is a great example for your little one, and the rest of the family!

The information provided in this article is of a general nature. Consult your health care provider before starting any post-natal exercise program.

Article written by Anna Wessell, instructor for Core Essentials’ Baby Stroller Boot Camp in Nanaimo, BC. She can be contacted at 250-390-3160, or email core_essentials@shawbiz.ca. Core Essentials is an exhibitor at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Nanaimo, June 5 & 6 at Beban Park Social Centre.