Our Mindful Mamas series spotlights other amazing mindful mamas from all over! The interviews focus on mindfulness and self-care and what it means and looks like for each mama. The goal of this series is to showcase the different ways we mamas get our self-care and mindfulness in and show how it can look/feel/be different for everyone, as well as the creative tips we mamas use to fit it in! We hope this series educates, informs and inspires you on self-care and to take some time for yourself, mama!
Meet Dr. Leslie Dobson
Dr. Leslie is our next Bliss'd Mindful Mama! Dr. Leslie is originally from Canada, now living in California and is a mama of two - a 6 year old and a 2 year old. She's a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, married to a clinical and forensic psychologist. Read on for my full interview with Dr. Leslie.
What is your definition of self-care? Has this changed since becoming a mom?
This has totally changed since being a mom! Self-care - noise canceling headphones, boundaries with friends, structure at home, strict bedtimes, pilates, online shopping with wine, and setting up my office to feel like a warm vacation from my crazy loud kids. Before I had kids, I would go for long walks, plan wine tasting trips, go to the gym for hours, but now the mom guilt lives on! I have structured and efficient self-care, and it works.
What does your self-care routine look like? Feel free to share small practices you do regularly and/or a set routine (morning, evening).
I wake up before the kids so that I have a moment of silence with the coffee. I listen to 3-5 minutes of NPR news round-up. I get myself ready for the day before the kids, then I get them off to school and I go to pilates. I work all day until 5, and then I mom it hard 5-7, and I get them to bed. After 7, but husband and I have quiet time alone (hot tub, social media, zoning out), until 9-10, when we watch a tv show together. We have a date night every Saturday.
Do you practice mindfulness? If so, how?
Deep breathing throughout the day, pilates, journaling.
What's a "mindful mama" tip you have?
Be able to describe how it feels to be over-stimulated from deep in your core, describe that to your partner or kids with tangible examples, start using percentages to tell your family what you have available in the moment and what you need to become more available (20 minutes of space)
What is your favorite self-care activity for when you have… 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 60+ minutes?
Pilates or lagree. Active stretching. Dropping into a plank in my office. Journaling, even if I speak into the microphone in my office. Emailing my kids, knowing they'll see it in 20 years. Online shopping!
What are your top 3 - 5 self-care and/or wellness products?
Motherhood can be overwhelming! How do you center yourself when you’re feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed?
I use the percentage rule. I tell my family where I have with my energy, what I need from them, and what it would mean to me. I have a structure and routine in my house and if they don't stick with it, then they are on their own. My time is important, and I honor when I need space. I model that for them too. I use essential oils to smell, stress ball, online shopping, making plans for anticipatory anxiety to get excited about the future.
What is a tip you have for a mom interested in self-care but unsure how to start, or she feels overwhelmed with the idea of fitting it in?
Start with paper plates. Start small. Give yourself permission to start cutting corners and be mediocre until you start to feel better.
When do you feel your most bliss’d out?
After the kids go to be, the house is quiet, and I'm sitting on the couch staring at my aquarium feeling proud that I got through the day!
What's a mama mantra you live by?
It's fucking hard until it's not. Validate yourself and honor how fucking hard this is.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm a psychologist married to a psychologist, and we still find parenting nearly impossible!
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Thank you, Dr. Leslie, for sharing your thoughts! If you'd like to connect further with Dr. Leslie, follow her on TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram or check out her website!
