Tag Archives: Mama’s Comfort Camp

Mamas Comfort Camp Turns ONE! A Celebration AND A Giveaway!

15 Mar

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  Congratulations to Smldada!***

Have you heard about the over 600 members of Mama’s Comfort Camp and the judgement-free culture of support and belonging we’ve cultivated in our Facebook group?  What started as a small group of online friends has blossomed into a once-in-a-lifetime  virtual sisterhood.  And we’re celebrating our one-year-anniversary!

Mama's Comfort Camp

Some very wise mamas have been helping us celebrate by contributing guest posts over at Mamas Comfort Camp, and we held a twitter party on March 10th.  And later today, I’m teaching a short yoga lesson via vlog, so click on over!

And to celebrate here on Learned Happiness, I’m giving away one of my favorite books.  If you know me, it’s no secret that Brene Brown’s books and research have changed my life.  What I didn’t realize about my life was that I’m not so different from everyone else – that shame and insecurity plague every one of us.  That we all just want to be seen, heard, and validated.  And most of all, that when we change who we are to fit what we think others want, we rob ourselves of true happiness.

It’s because of Brene Brown’s books that I’ve become more confident, more courageous, and more authentic.  Her TED Talk on shame pushed me to start blogging and opened up a whole world for me, where writing became therapy and readers became friends.  On a good day, I now believe that I am worthy of love and belonging, no matter what I have accomplished or what has happened to me.  Brene recently sat down with Oprah to share about her newest book, Daring Greatly.  You’re going to love her.

I Thought It Was Just Me

So in the spirit of comforting mothers everywhere, I’m giving away a copy of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Making the Journey from “What Will People Think?” to “I Am Enough.”  All you have to do enter is leave a comment below, telling me how you take care of YOURSELF in these busy days when there is never enough time.  If you struggle with this – then share how you WISH could could take care of yourself.  A daily meditation? An occasional good book? A hot cup of coffee each morning? A deep breath at the end of a long day?

And please know, if you’re a Mama?  You’re wanted in Mama’s Comfort Camp.  Head on over to HERE to find out how to join.  It’s easy and free!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Mama’s Comfort Camp!  And congratulations to my friend Yael Saar!  What an amazing baby you’ve created!

**legal stuff:  Giveaway closes on March 20th at midnight, EST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  Winner may choose a hard copy or Kindle version of the book.  I am providing this book as a birthday gift to MCC.  I was not compensated for my opinion – I really do just adore Brene Brown!**

CONGRATULATIONS TO SMLDADA, WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY!

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Mama’s Comfort Camp

14 Jan

I push the door open and step inside.  Four hundred seventy-one women smile and wave.  I announce I’m having a bad day and twelve of them stop in their tracks to hug me and commiserate.  Five more give me words of encouragement.  And those I know the best check on me later to see how I’m faring.  Another day I mention how dragged down by motherhood I’m feeling and the chorus of “me too,” leaves me feeling less alone and gives me strength to keep going.  And on the days when everything is “coming up Susan”, sharing my good news receives nothing but celebration and cheers.

There is no competition, no judgement, no shame.  It’s a place where each woman recognizes both that she is and is not her neighbor.  Though we are all human, all mothers, all women, and share the same desires to feel heard and valued, we bring our varied backgrounds and experiences to this space.  It’s a place where vulnerability and ordinary courage are practiced daily.  And it’s open 24-7.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not. It’s the creation of Yael Saar from PPD to Joy and is a quickly growing online support group called Mama’s Comfort Camp.

Here’s how Yael Sarr, the Camp Director (and my dear friend), describes Mama’s Comfort Camp:

Motherhood, the most important job in the world is also the hardest, the lowest paying, comes with no vacation days, and never enough sleep…The gap between expectations and reality is huge, and painful.
Moms need all the support, community, and comfort we can get, and we need a safe space to talk to each other and discover none of us is the only freak in town having a rough ride. We use social media to find each other and offer emotional peer support online, and whenever possible, mutual assistance in real life.

It’s my safe haven and keeps me from feeling alone during the day when I am trapped under two kids and three loads of laundry.  And though I adore my IRL friends, there’s not always a good time to call and chat.  The beauty of social media is that you can talk when it’s convenient for you and others can listen when they have a free moment (which, let’s face it, its usually while we’re peeing).

Now for the exciting news:  Yael recently asked me to join as a Den Mother and I’m both honored and excited!  I am so grateful for this space she has created and am glad to have a chance to give back both to it and to my friend.  I’d love for you to join us.

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