Is it any wonder we feel anything but guilt and anxiety in our roles?

In this day and age women do not grow up with the sole intention of becoming mums. Now, we want education, careers, businesses, financial independence, equality as well as the partner, kids and more. It is a rude shock to us when we do actually have kids and find it impossibly difficult to keep up with everything else we want and think society expects us to have.

It seems you can’t have everything without a sacrifice. From this article and the supporting research that was done, women are sacrificing their sexual and emotional satisfaction and walking around feeling like failures.

I know exactly what these women are going through. When I had my baby I still wanted to ‘have it all’, but found it hard to accept I did not have the time, money or resources to. I had the choice to either stress myself out trying to attain everything, or learn to go without. I chose the road less travelled and started mumswap.com.au so that all mums like me and you could get together to help each other out by swapping products, services and talents.

I thought if we could each swap what we can provide, for what we want, there is no reason why we can’t have it all. Anyway, that was my approach to creating an easier way for us to have what we want.

I can’t wait to read more articles and studies in the future that discuss how mums happiness levels are increasing as they find new ways to actually be perfect parents and partners without the stress and anxiety they were used to in the past….

Have a great day. And remember new mums, every crap day is followed by a good day.

Mumswap Team. xox

Here I am thinking that by exercising my rite of choice to pain relief I will be more mentally prepared, physically comfortable and excited to meet my baby. I didn’t realise it would affect our relationship. I didn’t realise I had to feel every inch of popping out a watermelon to make me a better mum with a stronger bond. (I mean is this guy for real??)

Mums feel enough guilt as it is once we have a child; now we have to feel guilty even before the baby comes out. Give us a break.

Thank goodness we don’t live in the dark ages and are bright enough to make choices that suit us and our pain thresholds. It shouldn’t matter whether we go for pain relief or not.

I think that every member of www.mumswap.com.au knows that the days of stressing ourselves out to be supermum are long gone.

If you’re ready to embrace the new way to be a supermum, or superwoman, come visit us on mumswap.com.au; Australia’s number 1 place for mums to recycle goods, share skills, save money and ‘have it all’. See you there. www.mumswap.com.au

Imaging a hot new look, organised home life, excellent income streams and treats to boot. Then I thought about it a little more and actually wrote down what exactly in my life I wanted to make over. This is my list:
Vamp up the image – I want an updated style
Business TLC – I want someone to be encouraging and helping me with the business
Personal Development – I finally want to do those things for myself that I always wanted to do
Home improvement – I want to makeover my home so that every time I walk through those doors I feel welcomed and happy
Family time – I want to have the time and means to spoil my family endlessly.

After preparing my list, I realised that I don’t need to win this competition to win a life makeover. I can still achieve these things by taking smaller steps.

For example:
To fix up my look I can start by getting rid of the daggy old stuff in my cupboard
For Business TLC, I can join a mentoring program with my local council
Personal development will be addressed by enlisting in a short course
My house will soon be a home as I dedicate to improving only 1 room at a time, 1 piece at a time, rather than be overwhelmed with the ‘where do I start’ feeling
Family time – I am prioritising family time more than before. So that means sometimes declining offers if life has been a little too hectic

By taking small steps towards the bigger picture I am still able to have what I want in life.

Anyway – I learnt from this exercise that I don’t have to wait for the big win. I can make that big win happen regardless.

Mumswap can also provide a life makeover. Get rid of old clothes, request Business support, wine appreciation lessons, handyman or interior designing and a weekend away at someone else’s holiday house. By helping each other and the environment, we can give something to the community and actually get something back. Swapping is Karma in action. And swapping on mumswap is another way you can win a life makeover.

Mumswap gives mums an innovative way to ‘have it all’ by providing a free swapping environment to recycle your goods, share skills and save money. Come check us out for yourself on www.mumswap.com.au and find out why we are Australia’s number 1 place for mums to swap products, services and talents free.

Turning 30 is making me freak out a bit about how much time I have left to achieve my dreams and still enjoy the process and it has now forced me to put together my action plan to ‘just do it’. Turning 30 has forced me to reflect on my life, where I am, what I’m doing and where I am going to be in my forties. When I turn 40, will I look back and say ‘What was I thinking, I should have done that, or tried this or gone there, or worn that? etc’.

I want to turn 40 and think ‘this was the best decade ever. I challenged myself, tried new things, accomplished goals, and didn’t let any negativity stand in the way of this great success I have achieved.. And, I also found a great botox administrator that does the most natural botox ever.” Yeah, that sounds good.

I expect to be very proud of my journey, what I did, what I learnt and who I enjoyed it with. Every mum may have different circumstances, but we all should have dreams. Yet, how much better is it when we can see our dreams come to life? The only way this can happen is if we make them a reality by physically doing what is required. For example, learn that skill, meet that person, take a risk, believe in ourselves and be prepared to have a go.

Look around on the site and you will see there are many mums, just like you and I, wanting something great for herself, her family and her future. Be it a new skill, business support, a holiday and lessons. Everything you do today, can bring you closer to what you want for tomorrow.

Want some inspiration? Some support to achieve your dream? You can swap any product or service of yours, in return for something to help you achieve your dreams, i.e a business partner, a life coach, an image consultant, career counseling, friendship and so much more.

On Mumswap.com.au you can swap support to achieve your goals. Look at what you have to gain….

Like a lot of mums juggling work and the kids and the house and everything else that comes with the territory, occasionally, I find myself in a bit of a rut. And I hate it. If I have 1 day too long in this state of mind and state of play, the likelihood of me packing up and running off to join the circus greatly increases.

So when I find myself a little edgy I ‘plant a few seeds’ and start rocking the boat, so to speak. I talk to different people, offer to do things I wouldn’t normally do, change my routine and most importantly I refocus on my attitude, positive thinking and believing in myself.

As a mum, it is easily to let yourself slip into the role of mum, and just do what we think a mum should do. But, reality is, we are also individuals with our own individual needs. We can’t always do what our role demands of us. Sometimes, we have to do what we demand from ourselves.

So, I’m not going to join the circus (yet), but I am going to make lots of small changes to make a big, positive difference to my personal development, attitude and future.

Lucky, there are lots of mums just like me and you happy to help and share the journey…

www.mumswap.com.au is in the business of making life easier for mums. We represent Australia’s No. 1 online bartering hub designed for mums to swap products, services and talents for free to achieve more for themselves, their family, business and lifestyle the smarter way. We pride ourselves on being a philanthropic, socially responsible company. If you share our vision, we would love to hear from you

For me, like so many others, it is a time of gratitude and reflection. I have absolutely smothered my immediate family with so much love and affection. (I do anyway – but I have to admit, I’ve gone over the top this week)

It really makes you think about what really matters in life and how important it is to be happy and fulfilled doing what you love with who you love.

Where do you start with the lessons in all this? Lesson 1: Recognise you are lucky to be here, in good health, with loved ones around you. Lesson 2: Make the most of opportunities and don’t be afraid of taking chances. Lesson 3: Spend more time with those you love and doing what you love. Lesson 4: No regrets. Lesson 5: As Nike says, Just do it.

Hopefully, there is a silver lining in these very dark clouds and everyone touched by the tragedy finds some strength and motivation to move forward.

Mumswap is donating to the Red Cross $1 for every new member and $1 for every new Offer or Request posted to the site for the next 90 days. Every little bit counts.

We hope to have your support.

So, tell other mums about us. Every new mum you tell about us, that chooses to join, means another dollar donated from Mumswap.

Post an offer, or post a request and that’s another $1 we will donate. It’s these small contributions that collectively make a difference. Register here. Or log in to post your offer or request.

About Mumswap.com.au: We’re in the business of making life easier for mums!  Mumswap.com.au is a free online hub where mums swap products, services & talents to save money & achieve more for themselves, their family, business & lifestyle. Recycle goods, share skills & reap the rewards. Swap what you can provide and ‘have it all’. We also represent other companies that support mums in the community. If you share our vision and have great products and services that benefit mums, we want to talk to you about partnership opportunities. In the meantime support mums and the community  - join the Mumswap team as a member.

Just the lead up to New Years forces me to reflect on all the naughty things I’ve done towards the end of 2008; I caved into way too many food cravings, held off going to the gym, didn’t wear sun cream when I went outdoors, indulged in all the time-wasting summer TV and of course, spent too much money.

2009 ticked over and things are different… Really they are. I only cave into food cravings after 8pm, I always go to the gym when there are 25 hours in a day, the TV I watch is purely educational, so I can better understand how reality TV stars, desperate housewives and American friends really think. Oh, and I bought a make-up foundation (accidentally) that had SPF 15+, so there is progress there too.

As for not spending as much money, I’m on my way. Firstly, I have run out of most of it thanks to Christmas, so that’s always a good start. Secondly I still have 2 (ok 3) Christmas kilos to lose so I can’t fit into new clothes to buy anyway. And thirdly, I’m about to go nuts on some family birthdays in the next 5 weeks, so, yeah. I’m saving.

Not sure what your resolutions are for the year, but if they are anything like most mums, you probably want to get healthy, get a new job/career, catch up on loose jobs around the house, spend more family time, get more time-out for yourself, save money.

Mumswap is here to make achieving your New Years resolutions even easier. You can offer/request a walking partner, business/employment support, a handyman, family entertainment vouchers and personal pampering sessions. Among 100’s of other things.

And you don’t have to wait till Monday! Register free now.

www.mumswap.com.au is in the business of making life easier for mums.  We represent Australia’s No. 1 online bartering hub designed for mums to swap products, services and talents for free to achieve more for themselves, their family, business and lifestyle the smarter way. We pride ourselves on being a philanthropic, socially responsible company. If you share our vision, we would love to hear from you

Some of us just want more time, a little extra help all-round, five minutes of piece and quiet or freedom to follow our dreams. While I wouldn’t say no to a Chanel hand-bag, I would appreciate a fortnightly house-cleaner so much more, even though the cleaner for a year would be a third of the price of a designer bag.

Holidays are approaching and I am looking forward to my luxury; having a day to myself (my goodness, imagine the silence) to go for a coffee (without sharing the choc froth with anyone), a work-out at the gym (to feel a bit more like a yummy mummy because my butt is temporarily firmer), and to make a slow-cooked (spending more than 12 minutes), nutritious (actually using decent, fresh ingredients) family meal (all of us WILL eat at the same time for a change) to enjoy in the backyard (I forgot we had).

The cost of my luxury will be around $26 bucks. The rewards for me, priceless. I feel healthy, rejuvenated, happy and relaxed.  Not convinced a Chanel bag could have the same effect – but ask me again on another day!

What’s your definition of luxury? Afford your luxury using Mumswap or provide someone else’s luxury.

About Us:

Mumswap.com.au is a socially responsible company.  We provide a completely free online hub where mums swap products, services & talents to ‘have it all’. We also profile other philanthropic companies offering great products and services that benefit women & families

It’s not that I don’t like healthy food, I do. In fact, I love all food. I just find it difficult to take the idea of eating a piece of chocolate out of my head until I have actually eaten that piece of chocolate.  And if you think I feel guilty afterwards, you’re wrong.  I love the aftertaste and last bit of sweetness stuck in my existing cavities. Unfortunately even the fact that my ‘comfy’ underwear is not that ‘comfy’ anymore still doesn’t put me off.

I’m trying to apply some self-justified psycho-babble to my reasoning for not monitoring what I am eating.  I think I am onto something.  I don’t care about things like eating that bit of chocolate every now and again, or not keeping up with a strict exercise routine to maintain a size ten figure, or keeping the house spotless at all times.  I am a mum with too many other demands that are more important than 3 kilos, a six-pack of abs or a clean house ready for a toddler to destroy (again). I believe it’s all ok so long as no chocolate before my 9am coffee, I do actually go for a walk every so often and we always have clean underwear. Plus, you should know, my child goes to child-care a few days a week, so all my guilty feelings have been allocated elsewhere.

The point I am making is to pick your battles with yourself.  Why should we beat ourselves up for everything, when what we do beat ourselves up on is probably more than what is necessary.  If it feels good every now and again to indulge in what is ok in moderation, then go for it. It’s no fun being too strict or hard on yourself for everything. Let go of the guilty feelings, save them for where it counts and enjoy your life, your day and yourself a little more.  In 10 years time are the things that bother you today, still going to bother you tomorrow?  If yes, then do something about them today, if not, move on. And maybe, just maybe, if images of chocolate pops into your head too often, replace it with an image of you in your bikini… Carrot sticks anyone?

Till next time,

Mumma C

About us: www.mumswap.com.au – swap your goods for something great. Recycle goods, share skills, reap the rewards. Free site where mums swap products, services and talents to achieve more for themselves, their families, business and lifestyle. Swap what you can provide and ‘have it all’

Yet minutes, hours, days or weeks later when the job still isn’t done, we have a brand new list of reasons why we shouldn’t do it anyway. Go figure.

I haven’t figured out the logic, but I am thinking, when we nominated this task for ourselves, however big or small, we were in a different mindset.  When we gave ourselves that job, task or challenge,  we felt more than capable of doing it and knew it wasn’t a matter of if it can be done, but when.

It’s just that when that ‘when’ comes around, it doesn’t seem nearly as exciting.  And the job somehow lost its magic and relevance.  We know that the reasons that job was nominated in the first place are still valid, but need a bit of encouragement to get us into that mindset.

We all go through this process at some point.  The trick is to allow ourselves some grace time to procrastinate, but this grace time must have a cut-off time.  If we let ourselves get to that point – that’s when we need to give ourselves a bit more of a push, think about how fantastic and proud we will feel when that job is done, and just get our hands dirty and do the job and get it over with.

Nine out of ten times it won’t be nearly as hard or time-consuming as we allowed ourselves to think it would be.  And ten out of ten times we will feel much better for getting it done.

So…what are you waiting for? 

Till next time,

Mumma C

About us: www.mumswap.com.au – swap your goods for something great. Recycle goods, share skills, reap the rewards. Free site where mums swap products, services and talents to achieve more for themselves, their families, business and lifestyle. Swap what you can provide and ‘have it all’