5 Books That Got Me Ready For Being A Mum
Nothing prepares you for the changes you will face during pregnancy and post-birth. The journey of becoming a first-time Mum has been both exciting and daunting. It is the unknown that intrigues me but equally confuses me.
Will I constantly be exhausted?
Will I miss having a career to focus on with personal goals?
How will I feel the extra time I have during the day once I commence maternity leave?
How motivated will I be to accomplish other tasks when I have a little miracle on my hands?
No matter how much reading and planning I do to learn about the journeys of other Mums, I know that each person’s experience is different. For me this has meant preparing myself mentally and physically for what was yet to come. In the lead up to birth, I read many books to aid my understanding of what was yet to come but also to prepare my mindset so that I could set out on this new adventure with the right frame of mind – feeling positive and empowered by this new addition to my family.
I’ve picked out my top 5 reads which have really helped make a difference to my pregnancy journey but also to my ability to think positively and plan ahead.
The Little Book of Self-care for Mums-to-be by Beccy Hands & Alexis Stickland
“What we know about caring for ourselves and keeping on top of aches and pains and mental fatigue is that it’s the little things that count.”
First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this throughout my pregnancy. The book takes you through what to expect from day 1 (finding out that you are pregnant) until day done (giving birth and the days after).
The authors seemed to really understand the emotions I was feeling and the anxieties that built up at each stage of pregnancy, clearly explaining what was normal, what was to be expected and gave me tips along the way to make me enjoy the journey.
I highly recommend this to all first-time mums-to-be!
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
“Bamboo can barely be seen for the first five years as it builds extensive root systems underground before exploding ninety feet into the air within six weeks.”
Mindset is incredibly important to me. At the moment, I have a set routine. I wake up early morning to prepare breakfast for my husband who leaves for work a lot earlier than I do. Once he’s out the house, I get ready for my day. I usually work from home so I spend the early hours of the morning tidying the home, having breakfast whilst checking emails and then I start my working day. I take a break mid-morning for some exercise and stretching and then I work until the evening when I begin to prepare dinner. Once he’s back from work, my husband and I spend some time together. Roll on the next day!
The whole routine is about to be turned on its head, meaning that habits that I have become accustomed to are about to be changed.
Atomic Habits helped me realise that habits, good or bad can be set and reset as many times as you want or need to. The book starts by breaking down the mechanics of a habit so that you really understand the reasons why habits form, why they can be easy to break and why it is easier to set into bad habits rather than good ones.
Never had I taken a deep dive into my habit-forming ability until this book made me realise where my deficits were and how I could exploit my strengths to be get the most out of the time I have.
Time management with a baby is critically important given the inability to make fixed time commitments. The book was both inspirational and effective in making me feel in control of my planning.
