What If Self-Care Wasn’t Optional in Motherhood?

What If Self-Care Wasn’t Optional in Motherhood?

From Thriving Parent-ing by Jen Cuttriss - Sleep Thrive Grow - Baby & Parent Sleep Coach & Mindset Mentor

May 11, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 113

About this episode

This episode discusses the necessity of self-care in motherhood as a vital form of stress management and emotional balance.

What if self-care in motherhood wasn’t a luxury, but a necessity? In this heartfelt episode of the Thriving Parent-ing, the conversation explores a powerful reframe around self-care — not as something mums “earn” after everything is done, but as an essential form of stress management and nervous system regulation. Through relatable examples and practical insights, this episode unpacks why parenting overload can leave mums feeling reactive, exhausted, and disconnected from themselves, and how small, intentional moments of self-care can help restore calm, resilience, and emotional balance for both parent and child. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why self-care should be viewed as stress buffering, not selfishness How motherhood changes your nervous system load and emotional capacity The difference between fight-or-flight mode and a regulated nervous system Why your child “borrows” calm from your nervous system through co-regulation How small “boring” self-care moments can prevent emotional overwhelm Practical stress-buffering ideas that fit into busy parenting life Why traditional pre-kids self-care routines often need adapting in motherhood How to recognise when your emotional…

People in this episode

Host: Jen Cuttriss

Topics covered

  • self-care
  • motherhood
  • stress management
  • nervous system regulation
  • parenting
  • emotional balance

Keywords

  • self-care
  • motherhood
  • stress buffering
  • nervous system
  • emotional overwhelm
  • co-regulation
  • parenting support

More episodes of Thriving Parent-ing

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Thriving Parent-ing podcast page.