🌿 Mental Health Isn’t a Buzzword — Let’s Talk About It

Hi Mamas-

Has this ever been your morning? You finally had that long-overdue night out with your girlfriends (worth it 🙌), which meant hitting snooze one too many times the next day. Things feel a little rushed, but nothing you haven’t handled before. You fly through packing lunches, getting everyone dressed, and making it out the door — until your son casually mentions his stomach hurts. You keep the train moving anyway.

Kids dropped off, you realize you left your laptop at home. Of course. So much for a drive-thru stop — the granola bar at the bottom of your bag will have to do. You get to the office, settle in, and then…the school calls. “_____ got sick. You’ll need to come pick him up.” Inhale. Exhale. Somehow, it always gets done. But at what cost?

Mental health can feel like a buzzword these days, but for working moms it’s far more than that and the numbers back it up. Surprising? Not really. Between the emails, the laundry, the soccer practices, and oh yeah — work — burnout can feel like the default setting.

Here’s the thing: when moms’ mental health suffers, it doesn’t stop with them. Kids feel it. Families feel it. Communities feel it. Which means supporting moms isn’t optional — it’s essential. Moms deserve better than buzzwords — and we believe there is HOPE for working moms to not just survive but to flourish, when communities, workplaces, and families rally behind them.

A quick note: We know it has been heavy lately. You, like us, may feel at a loss for what to say when talking with your kids. Here are two resources to share with you…

• Talking to Kids About Tragedies

• A Guide To Talking About Hard Truths

-CARRY™ Team

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🌿 Realistic Self-Care Ideas for the Tired Mom

• 🧠 Mental Health and Menopause

• 🎉 Finding Fun When Life Feels Like Too Much

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 🌿 Realistic Self-Care Ideas for the Tired Mom

Self-care doesn’t have to require a full day at the spa, a retreat, or anything that inevitably your kids will interrupt with “MOOOMMMM” from the other room. It can be sneaky, small, and absolutely doable — because taking care of you isn’t simply a good idea, it’s necessary.

• Care for your body: Most of us can find 20 minutes a day. Stretch while the kids argue over socks. Do a quick dance-off in the kitchen. Bonus points if you spill nothing. 💃
  

• Care for your brain: Automate all the things. “Subscribe & Save” for shopping staples, auto-pay bills, calendar reminders, monthly meal rotations…whatever frees your brain from remembering everything.
  

• Care for your soul: Romanticize your life like it’s a rom-com. Pair the mundane with the enjoyable. Audiobook while folding laundry? ✅ Lunch outside for Vitamin D? ✅ Gratitude isn’t cheesy — it’s magic for your emotional tank.
  

• Care for your people: Stay connected your way. Marco Polo, quick texts, or a 30-second voice memo — you can maintain friendships without scheduling a weekend retreat.
  

• Care for your capacity: Try the Two-Minute Rule. If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Tiny tasks won’t pile up into Everest-sized stress.

Self-care doesn’t have to be perfect — just happen. A little here, a little there, and suddenly you’ve got space to breathe, laugh, and maybe even enjoy the chaos. ✨

2️⃣   🧠 Mental Health and Menopause

Menopause often brings more than the “usual” physical symptoms — it can affect mental/emotional well-being too. The good news is: you don’t have to accept feeling less than yourself. Paying attention, prioritizing self-care (especially sleep + stress relief), and reaching out for support can make a real difference.

As a reminder, all month long on The Paula Faris Show, we are tackling perimenopause and women's health. Dr. Jen Ashton (founder, Ajenda) and Aarti Sequeira (Food Network Host) are joining Paula to talk about it ALL - how to prepare for this phase, weight management, the changes in our bodies (and brains), and so much more!  

🎧 Have you had a chance to listen yet? Find the month-long series here and let us know your takeaways in the comments! 

3️⃣  🎉 Finding Fun When Life Feels Like Too Much 

Sometimes we’re so busy running here, there, and everywhere that we forget to have FUN! Fun doesn’t have to require a weekend getaway or planning six months in advance — it can be small, right where you are.

Try a girls’ night with mahjong (yes, it’s having a moment!) or keep it simple with Left Right Center — a few dollars in, lots of laughter out. Love to bake? Test a new fall recipe and turn it into a mini tasting party. Or get outside: take a sunset walk with a friend, plan a family bonfire with s’mores, or do something silly like a karaoke night in your living room.

And don’t forget about work: lighten your load with a walk-and-talk meeting, a shared team playlist, or even a five-minute meme swap to break up the day.

Fun isn’t a luxury — it’s fuel. And the more you make room for it, the lighter everything else feels. ✨

📰 IN THE NEWS

💸 A Strong Start: UK Offers Free Childcare for Young Children

Big policy shift in the UK: as of September 1, families with children ages 9 months to 4 years now qualify for 30 hours of free childcare per week. FREE!

The goal? To ease the rising cost of childcare and support working parents. To qualify, each parent must earn under £100,000 annually (approx $135,500 USD).

This marks a huge step forward in making early childhood care more accessible and affordable — giving kids a stronger start and giving parents much-needed peace of mind.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this – drop a comment and weigh in!

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎
for the midlife mom

Layered on top of everyday life, we’re raising kids in a tech era that seems to change by the minute. Their childhood comes with screen-time battles, constant notifications, and an internet that never sleeps. Which means our motherhood comes with the constant dance of protecting them while still letting them practice independence.

Here’s the good news: by showing up, asking questions, setting boundaries (even when they roll their eyes), and modeling balance, you’re giving them tools that will outlast any app or trend.

Technology will shift a million times before they’re grown — but the foundation you’re building? That stays.

✨ Want some extra support in raising kids while navigating technology? Check out this podcast. Paula also released an episode in August on her podcast all about teens & technology — listen on your favorite platform here.

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