No, we are not referring to the products you want to buy for your baby, it refers to the products that you, as a mom, should buy this extended Black Friday and Cyber Monday, for you.
Before you let the mom guilt sink in, or think that we are trying to give some unsound financial advice, hear us out. Let go of the mom guilt and think about the products you’ve been meaning to buy for yourself and haven’t, because you deserve it.
As a mom it’s easy to get carried away with taking care of everything and everyone else, not to mention taking on the entirety of the mental load, and unwittingly forget about yourself in the process. However the simplest things can really help shape our outlook for the day, and it’s these things that we encourage you to look for this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Take a look at this list of what we think can make a difference in your day to day.
Skin and Hair Care
One of the things that gets the brunt of our busy lives as moms is our hair and skin routines. Luckily Sephora is having an extended Holiday Sale. We recommend you look for things that’ll make your routines more efficient (and can offer a lot of bang for your buck).
One of my favorites is Amika’s talc free dry shampoo. It has a dreamy smell, for those days (and there are many) that I’m in a hurry. For days when I have time to wash my hair and actually put some effort into it, I love Brigeo.
Another thing that I find useful, since I hardly ever get to actually put makeup on, is taking care of my skin so I can get away with just a BB cream and maybe, on a good day, blush.
I’m a big fan of Drunk Elephant, whose products go a long way. They’ve just come out with gifts and accessible kits for the holidays that offer a mix of products for different needs.
Going back to my original point of not being able to actually get my makeup done, BB and CC creams make mornings infinitely easier. I like Supergoop’s CC cream (they make great sunscreen for kids, too), but finding one that you love is easy and they really will make you feel better when you look in the mirror for the rest of the day.
Clothing
As a mom who is forever delivering her kids to school in pajamas or work out clothes and has made the executive decision to sleep in a bra, just in case I have to run out at a moment’s notice... I strongly recommend finding clothes that are compatible with whatever the day may throw at you.
The athleisure trend has certainly helped us moms and finding clothes that are affordable, look great without compromising the least bit on comfort, while avoiding wardrobe malfunctions, and still being able to withstand the wear and tear of the washing and drying machines, has become easy and in vogue!
If you are anything like me, check out Superkin’s cute, but powerful *add to resume t-shirts. Lululemon’s “we made too much” section, for their wonderful leggings that hold everything in place while allowing you to stretch, bend, run, and pick up stuff from the most forsaken places. And then, there’s Amazon. As a mom I appreciate Amazon Prime’s convenience and Prime Wardrobe. They’ve really made an effort to provide high quality, fashionable yet affordable clothing.
Food
I know this category seems a little out of place, but food can have a huge impact on how we feel everyday. When I had just gotten home from the hospital with my son, my aunt and uncle surprised me with groceries. It was the best gift ever. So, if you have been living off of pb&j sandwich crusts and your kids’ leftovers, I strongly suggest you pay a little more attention to what you are eating, not to loose weight or anything like that, just to feel better.
There are different services out there that can make grocery shopping and cooking easier (or taking supplements, like Momful's can make a world of difference). If you’d still like to have things delivered, or you’re just not that great in the kitchen (like some of as in the Lilu team!), you can try services that cater specifically to moms, like Nouri. Follow that link to get $50 off your first order.
Mom Products
Finally, there’s a world of products that can help you with your day to day as a mom, that are not meant for your children but rather for yourself.
Start the day (or evening) off dressed for success, with dreamy pijamas. I’m partial to Eberjey’s tencel sets which are soft and breathable, and make breastfeeding (or pumping) easily accessible.
If you are the type of mom that runs on coffee, you can buy yourself a nice coffee maker. Going out for coffee is always nice, but when time is of the essence, being able to make yourself a good cup of coffee at home is a welcomed relief. Personally, I rely on my Nespresso machine, but there are all sorts of great options out there.
As moms one of the things we can always use help with is keeping the house clean. So a Roomba is always a welcomed assistant, especially if it is on sale.
For pumping moms, because we are all about pumping here at Lilu, of course we recommend the Lilu Lactation Massager and Hands-free Pumping Bra, which allows moms to empty their breasts more fully while pumping, ultimately resulting in more milk in less time, less stress, less clogged ducts and all and all a better pumping experience.
Also, whether nursing or not, don’t forget to keep hydrated. carrying a water bottle is always good for your health (it keeps headaches at bay and children are known for needing water at the randomest moments). And since you have to carry water and so much other stuff around, having a big tote or basket to carry it all or just keep it all contained, as opposed to all over your car, is always convenient.
Bottom Line
You might think the money is better spent on your kids, but really there is no better example you can give them, than taking care of yourself and making sure your needs are met, too. So let go of the mom guilt, take advantage of the extra weeks of sales and deals this Black Friday and think of things that can make your life easier.
They need not be expensive or sophisticated, they just need to be something for you. If you’ve come across this post, it’s likely that the simple act of buying something for yourself will give you some relief. So ditch the mom guilt, set a budget, and find something that will make you feel loved and at ease. Remember you cannot pour from an empty cup, so love yourself first, and keep on doting on your kids and family. You all deserve it.
Lilu is a Women’s Health company building tech-enabled devices to empower new moms. Our first product, the Lilu Massage Bra, mimics compression massage, so you can empty your breasts fully to establish, increase and maintain your milk supply. Pump up to 50% more milk each session, all while going hands-free.
Introducing the revolutionary Lilu Lactation Massager Bra - designed to make your pumping sessions more efficient and comfortable than ever before. With our lactation massage cushions, you can experience the benefits of hands-on compression motions recommended by lactation experts, without using your hands. Our bra holds the cushions securely in place, massaging both breasts while you pump, helping to increase milk flow and maintain your milk supply.
