We talk a lot here at Power of Moms about dealing with stress. That’s a regular part of motherhood, and because it comes in so many ways, there may never come a time when we are immune from the pressure.
But let’s stop for a minute and think about it: When we are physically struggling with illness, fatigue, or injury, we don’t hesitate to talk about it, to address it, and hopefully to fix it. However, when we are mentally struggling, we too often hide it, ignore it, or pretend it isn’t even a problem. (But it still is.)
Carmen Rasmusen Herbert, American Idol Top 6 Finalist from Season 2, is now a mother of four young boys–and in a recent post she wrote (linked below and discussed in the podcast), she shares practical solutions for other moms who are doing everything in their power to maintain their mental health.
Recording this podcast with Carmen was a pleasure. It was a chance for me (April) to slow down for a moment and think–really think–about what I can do to make sure I’m taking care of myself as a mother.
Show Notes
Carmen’s Bio: An “American Idol” Season 2 Top 6 finalist and Nashville recording artist, Carmen has traveled all over the country on two nationwide tours. She has released two albums (“Nothin’ Like the Summer” and “Carmen”), published two books, (“Staying in Tune” and “You are More”) and enjoys speaking to women and girls of all ages. She has four fun and energetic boys (the subject of most of her columns which she writes weekly for the Deseret News) and one amazing and patient husband!
Carmen’s Post on Which this Podcast is Based: To the Mom Who Feels All Her Efforts Are in Vain
This Episode is Brought to You By: Power of Moms Learning Circles
Gather each month with mothers in your own community to strengthen yourself, your family, and each other!
Music from Creations by Michael R. Hicks
Audio editing by Christy Elder
I so appreciated this podcast today. I can really relate to Carmen with having four kids 7 and under the youngest of which is four months. It made me feel so relieved that I wasn’t the only one that felt totally overwhelmed after baby. I think it is so easy to fall into the comparison trap and feel like everybody has it together but you. I’ve really struggled with feelings of self doubt and depression the last few years as I’ve felt like I’m not doing a good enough job at all of the responsibilities of wife and mom. I appreciated the hope given in this podcast that things can get better and that I can feel happy.
I just also have to say thanks to Power of Moms! I feel like these podcasts are always just perfectly timed and just what I need to hear!
So happy to hear, Kim! That’s what I love about our Power of Moms community. We are all human…and it’s okay to admit that! Please email us with any podcast topics you’d like us to cover. 🙂 radio (at) powerofmoms.com. So glad you are with us!
This was awesome. Thank you, Carmen!
I loved this. Thank you for sharing it. We are all just trying to do our best, so we need to go easy on others as well as ourselves. I just saw this and thought it pertinent, so I wanted to share: http://www.letwhylead.com/2015/10/24-self-care-practices-for-mothers.html.
Thank you, Shannon!! That was a great blog post. I so appreciate you sharing and being a part of Power of Moms!
This was just wonderful! Thank you so much! I had a time in my life, after the birth of my fourth child, where I too thought I was doing ok, I could do it all, but found myself crying often, every day, many times a day, and finally I realized that maybe I did need a little help. I’m past that experience, but it has helped me feel compassion for all those who have moments where they need help to strengthen their ‘mental fitness’ as Carmen says. There is help when we need it and I think it is such a powerful message for all mothers to hear. Thanks for sharing!
I loved this and loved the perspective. It is good to hear this topic being spoken of so openly. I really liked the reminder about ‘giving what I have…that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing’ because sometimes that mind trap is what makes it worse when it comes to struggles in the day to day. Thanks for the honesty and open conversation!
I just adored this! I have been struggling with stress related health problems due to having lots of little kids and doing too much. I’m going to become a faithful follower and spread the word. This stuff is so good!
Thanks for ALL the podcasts on power of moms. I especially related to this one because I too started suffering from neurological migraines about six months after the birth of my fourth child (my oldest child only four at the time). This was about a year ago and my migraines manifest themselves as dizziness. So I am dizzy pretty much constantly. It has been a real struggle and so…the point of my comment is to ask what exactly Carman has done to help with her migraines. She never said specifically. Did she try a medication, some other sort of therapy? I have tried lots of things but nothing has helped. I would love to hear if she has any more info to offer. Thank you!