One of the biggest challenges for all new
mothers is trying to find a cohesive balance between your
new identity as a mom and working at keeping your own
identity and habits from before we all had kids.
We tend to put our children and families first and by
doing so; create a dichotomy of perpetual guilt! Meals,
kindergarten volunteering, vaccinations, dentists, music and
sports lessons, parent-teacher interviews, and throw a new
baby onto that mix... 1 or 2 times in a row, and you have a
recipe for sweatpants, ponytails and spit up T-shirts.
We forget the importance of self and worth. I know
I struggle to keep it all together on a daily, weekly basis.
Between running back and forth between my businesses and
plotting the magazine stories, I absolutely skimp on myself,
my home and my clothing. To be honest, if I did not have
a cleaning lady to help me juggle all the house stuff; I would
probably be in a mental institution banging my head against
a wall. (Thank you for everything you do Verni!)
My wakeup call came in the form of a visit to the
dermatologist for a screening a few months back. To my
amazement I had 2 areas of skin showing pre-cancerous
growth and had to have them both removed immediately in
the doctor’s office. I kept thinking how I had put off that
visit for 2 years because I was too “busy” to fit it in. Now I
realize that I am not doing anybody any favours be nelgecting
myself. I have since booked my first ever mammogram,
snuck in a hair cut and now plan on offloading my wallet
full of gift certificates (received as gifts) for my favourite escape, the Spa Ritual in Crowfoot.

My i-phone proudly sports a daily message (until I book)
to remind me to to get in for my Thai Foot Ritual and my
full body massage.
So here I am, at my desk writing this letter, planning my
meetings, agenda for 2-3 weeks from now AND calling for
my overdue Spa Day!
So speaking of spa days...this issue is dedicated to our first
annual Mommy Makeover winner who DID get to spend
a day at the spa last week. I think every new mom really
needs to get some down time, even if it is just a few hours
away from the house (and kids) to unwind, unload and
unleash her inner self; even if only for a brief moment.
What girl doesn’t want to remember what it feels like to
put on a new outfit, have your hair done just the way you
like it (but don’t have time to do yourself ), or buy that one
new piece of makeup that makes you feel pretty again?
We all know how a mother’s love for her offspring is
monumentally, massive and knows no limits. But we as
mothers need to remember to love ourselves and to make
our needs, desires and passions just as important as everybody
elses. ....even if it means hiding away at a fabulous spa
or locked in the bathroom in a glorious bubble bath reading
a super book for an hour.....just do it!

-Leah Chevallier, Editor