As a part of the last LFJ Mama Gathering I shared 5 thoughts on how to replenish you, your partner and your tiny person throughout this coming holiday season. I thought I would share them here.

1. WRITE A UNIVERSE LIST FOR 2016. What does next year look like to you? What’s important to you? What’s important to them? What’s important for your tiny person, or are you hoping for a tiny person? Write it down and share it. Communicate it with one another so that you both can help one another get there.

2. TIME ALONE. Give each other 1 morning, 1 afternoon, 1 evening or whatever works for your schedule. One chunk of time every week or two weeks to do something just for you. Whatever that is, put it in your calendar, get excited about it and know that you deserve it.

3. FAMILY TIME. Take time away from the television. Put away your phones. Go for a walk. Put on some music. Read books, play with toys. The more Agatha becomes more aware of her surroundings the more I am aware of how much Jeff and I are on our phones. There’s stuff to do, but then there’s just spacing out and being distracted. Make it 30 minutes, an hour or an entire day. Embrace the people around you.

4. PARTNER TIME. We are all guilty of it. Telling our partners the best way to calm the baby down, the way to feed them, or the way you make them laugh. Give them time to bond on their own. Let them figure out what works for them. It’ll give them a burst of confidence that will knock your socks off.

5. RITUALS + ROUTINES. Make a bedtime ritual. Incorporate it into your baby’s bedtime routine. Do it together, do it alone, but make a point of doing something to quiet your head after a long day. Yesterday I crawled into bed and felt like I hadn’t really taken a deep breath since I got home from the mama gathering. I took out some oils and rubbed them on my palms and just breeaathhheeeeddd it all in. Throw your legs up the wall. Remind yourself you’re doing a great job. In fact, remind yourself you’re doing an amazing job. Whether your pregnant, your 2 months in or 2 years in – it’s hard in it’s own way. However the day went, know that after this little routine there is a new day on the horizon.