Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 174 W/Caroline Kalicki

Caroline Kalicki's focus is making moms to be the best human they can be (not just mom). "Where are YOU on that list of things you are doing." If you don't take care of YOU first, there is no room to take care of others.  Her wife and her took 5 years just to have her first. It was a long, heartbreaking journey and had miscarriage and 17 IUI's, they were finally successful through IVF. These 5 years made them THINK they were prepared for all of it but postpartum hit them like a bus. Not only was it hard on her and her wife but the way that society treats postpartum moms really rocked her world. The anxiety she experienced over the "silly little things" were such a shock to her that she realized that taking care of herself was truly the biggest need she had. "Bouncing back" is not the norm and more moms need to realize that there are moms in your corner. NO ONE knows what they are doing and that's OK! Her wife was her biggest supporter but because she hadn't been through it herself, she struggled with how to support her. She did also tell her to trust her gut and look inward to see what she needed. Finding other moms who had been through it was her saving grace. Her best mama moments are when her 5 year old says "I love you" and when her daughter sees how she is coaching and supporting moms.  She now coaches her babydolls the way she sees her coach other moms. Those words mean the world to her. Her worst mama moments come when she feels like she can't help her 5 year old manage her emotions.  These are things as a mom, we are working out on a daily basis for the rest of our lives…it's exhausting! She wishes she would have known that postpartum isn't a phase but a transformation. You can find Caroline at motherhencoaching.com and she works with mamas all over the country.  Her instagram is @motherhencoaching