The Happiest Mommy You Know

ABC News Travel & Lifestyle Editor (and mom of three) Genevieve Shaw Brown puts moms first in THE HAPPIEST MOMMY YOU KNOW: Why Putting Your Kids First Is the LAST Thing You Should Do (Touchstone; on-sale January 10, 2017). {Book provided for review/feature consideration}

Brown once rose at 5AM every morning to prepare perfectly portioned meals for her (then) two children. While eating lukewarm mac-n-cheese out of a paper box, she realized she had never once considered eating the healthy food she made for her kids. She put herself on “The Baby Diet”: she ate the same food her kids ate (in adult-sized portions), created a more regimented meal plan, and minimized snacking. The results were transformative - she felt better, lost weight, and talked about her experience on Good Morning America on December 14, 2014. You can watch the “GMA” segment HERE.


THE HAPPIEST MOMMY YOU KNOW chronicles Brown’s life-changing foray into self-respectful parenting—an honest observation of motherhood that gives moms permission to put themselves first when it matters most. In the book, Brown offers her own stories, expert advice, and innovative hacks to address common issues that today’s mothers face, including:

• Putting your kids first is the last thing you should do. This is Brown’s #1 rule. If you keep putting everyone ahead of yourself, it’s not possible to give parenting your all when you have nothing left to give. In order to be a better mom, it's important that you treat yourself with the same love and concern you treat your children. 

• Maternal happiness is your choice to make. The saying “The days are long, but the years are short” can be applied to parenting. Kids are only young once. Instead of wishing their childhood away, make the choice to make these years the happiest—for both you and your children. How? By doing the things that make you happy—not by completely sacrificing who you are for the sake of the kids. It doesn't work. It leads to resentment and emotional and physical exhaustion. 

• You are your child’s role model. Ask any mom what they want for their kids, and the word “happiness” is a top priority on that list. But if you’re not happy, you're not setting a good example for your child. By being happy yourself, you are paving the way for their current—and future—happiness. 

• Know there will be days that you will fail. “I know I am a happier mom than I was just one year ago,” says Brown. “But once in a while, I still find myself overwhelmed and unhappy.” What to do? Brown recommends taking a closer look at life and identifying what’s wrong and making a point to get back on track. Even just knowing the root of the issue (bad eating habits, not enough exercise, not getting enough sleep, missing friends) can give you the tools you need to get back on track.

Until next time...