The one thing I wish I knew sooner...

Anxiety and excitement(joy) feel utterly the same in your body.

If not the same they feel very similar.

For years, I thought the butterflies in my chest and the stomach aches were always me getting sick or "bad" things about to happen.

Until I really started learning more about myself as an individual and a mother.

What I realized, I wasn't the only one that felt this way. The kids would experience this too and I had tools to help them navigate this uncomfortable feeling and learn to feel more empowered with what their body was telling them.

The more I learn how to regulate my body the more I feel equipped to help the kids with whatever comes their way. It isn't about showing up with perfection in every season it is creating progress and finding tools and rhythm that work for you day in and day out.

Eight tools that have been beyond helpful over the last 9 years in motherhood

breathing video

-Breathing with your kids, I linked an incredible video that describes the best breathing for your kiddo. We have always used our kids age for how many deep breathes to calm down their body.

-Taking a timeout from the hustle and bustle. Whether they need a gentle reminder to do this or they know they can do this on their own. As our son is 9 years old he now understands he can remove himself quietly from a situation and come back with more ease.

Kids supplements

-Our favorite natural solutions to help support the gut, stress resoponse and mood. These don't treat cure or heal but they do support your body with targeted probiotics to support your mental wellness lifestyle.

-This one is new to us. Praying together when there is discomfort, excitement and every emotion in between. Strengthen our faith, reducing worry and improve grattitude.

-Your gut houses 90% of your serotonin and 70% of your immune system. Even for kids, especially as they grow prioritizing whole and healthy type foods is a priority for overall health and mood.

-Getting your kids to move. In this house we do utilize screen time but we do limit it and allow movement throughout the house and encourage getting outdoors as much as possible.

-Physical touch is a key love language for two of our kids, checking in and giving big hugs is such a cup filler for everyone and helps support and regulate the nervous system.

-Most importantly giving grace to your kids and yourself as a mother because you are both learning. This is the first time you are both in this season. The more grace you extend the more availabe and open you are to learn.

I hope if you ever experience anxiety or have a kid that experiences a nervous tummy these will be helpful!

With love,

Ashley