Marissa Leinart

When I arrived in the U.S. 50 years ago on a Pan Am flight from the Philippines, I remember it like it was yesterday. The flight attendant gently pinned a Pan Am wing pin on the right side of my red dress as I calmly thanked her in a soft voice in my native tongue. I clutched onto my grandfather’s hand as I remember stepping off the plane onto U.S. soil. I left the comforts of having so many helpers and nannies to none at all. My brother and I were often alone to fend for ourselves as our parents struggled to earn a good living and adapt to a culture quite different from what they were used to. I don’t remember much of my childhood. I think it was because I don’t remember having much fun. I became obsessed with achieving and considered myself an utter failure if I received a “B” on my report card. I realize now that my accomplishments were reminders that I had value and worth because my parents just weren’t around to encourage me or even converse with me. I simply don’t remember having many conversations with my parents. I don’t remember playing games with them. Family vacations were non-existent. I don’t remember having those warm, cuddly feelings growing up. In all honesty, I don’t remember much of my childhood at all. So I vowed I would change that part of my childhood which I sorely missed, having a relationship with my parents. Parents are the most influential people in their children’s lives. The stronger their relationship with their children, the more their children will not want to disappoint them.  Research also reveals that a solid parent-child relationship results in huge benefits: Young children with a secure and healthy attachment to their parents stand a better chance of developing happy and content relationships with others. A child with a secure relationship with a parent learns to regulate emotions under stress and in difficult situations. Promotes the child’s mental, linguistic and emotional development. Helps the child exhibit optimistic and confident social behaviors. Healthy parent involvement and intervention in the child’s day-to-day life lay the foundation for better social and academic skills. A secure attachment leads to healthy social, emotional, cognitive, and motivational development. Children also gain problem-solving skills when they have a positive relationship with their parents. Parents with strong relationships with their children are happier and more satisfied. The ability to recognize, understand, regulate, and express emotions are essential for healthy development. If parents can model these skills for their children (empathy, persistence, self-control), they will be able to provide a safe environment for their children to flourish and grow. The truth is, our relationships with our kids are only as healthy as ours.   So to get healthier in every area of your life, my book will help get you there. Self-Care Self-Love For Overwhelmed Moms: 17 Truths to Reduce the Guilt, Discover Your True Identity, Build Healthier Relationships and Believe You Are More Than Enough.  Pre-Order your copy here.

I’m a mess and I’m not afraid to admit it. It is not easy to admit my weaknesses. But that is the first step to growth and improvement. We need to be aware of what we are doing wrong and what we can do better. Admitting our weaknesses can actually be healthy for us in the long run, so we should not be afraid of being vulnerable with others, as they may offer constructive feedback or advice on how to improve ourselves One of the most challenging things for some people is admitting their weaknesses. It is often seen as a sign of weakness, a weakness that can make the person vulnerable to attack. But the opposite is true. Admitting our weaknesses can help us become more confident and better at what we do because it allows us to focus on what we are good at. I wish I had known this when I was a young adult, first entering my career at age 21 as a TV news anchor and reporter. I sweated bullets right before I was about to ask a colleague for help. When I did, I spent more time apologizing for bothering them with my questions. I know the root of my trepidation came when asking for help. I recall my parents telling me how it was wrong to feel needy or ask for help. I believe they did not feel worthy of doing so and they passed their beliefs on to me.  This is why asking for help or for anything is so difficult for me. I didn’t want to come across as someone inexperienced, lacking knowledge and courage but that’s exactly how I felt. But the last thing I wanted to do was admit that because I didn’t want anyone to know I felt like an imposter, and truly did not know what I was doing.  We often feel embarrassed to admit our weaknesses. We think that by admitting them we are making ourselves vulnerable and weak. This is not true. Admitting our weaknesses can make us stronger, as we can then work on improving them and be more self-aware of the areas where we need to put more effort. We might think that we are giving up and accepting defeat by admitting our weakness. However, the opposite is true. Admitting your weakness is a sign of strength because it shows that you are aware of your flaws and want to improve on them. Admitting our weaknesses can help us in many ways: -It helps us become more confident in ourselves and accept who we are.  -It helps us understand what our strengths are so that we can focus on them more.  -It allows others to see what they could do better too. It is important to admit our weaknesses and not be too hard on ourselves. We should be honest with ourselves about what we are not good at and find someone who can help us. The truth is, our relationships are only as healthy as we are. So join me in “getting healthy” in every area of your life by grabbing my book. Self-Care Self-Love For Overwhelmed Moms: 17 Truths to Reduce the Guilt, Discover Your True Identity, Build Healthier Relationships and Believe You Are More Than Enough.  Pre-Order your copy here.

There is a need for self-care in the face of all the stress and pressure that come with being a mom. Self-care is not just about looking after yourself; it’s also about looking after your family. It’s a way to help you feel better and be more productive so you can be there for your family when they need you most. Self-care is not selfish; it’s essential! I wish I had believed that when I was a mom of 2 young children.  I was such a performance-driven mom that self-care wasn’t in my vocabulary. But that’s no longer the case. It took me years to truly understand the importance of self-care. It’s taking care of oneself, which can include mental, emotional, and physical health. Moms must take care of themselves to be less stressed and more effective in their mothering. Self-care for moms can be challenging because we are often so busy caring for others that we forget about ourselves.  Moms like me are often under a lot of pressure to provide for their families, leading to stress and anxiety. Self-care is crucial for moms to reduce stress and feel better overall. We’re often encouraged to take care of ourselves, but the reality is that many moms feel guilty for doing so. They may feel like they are neglecting their children or not being a good mom if they do anything for themselves. We must remember that self-care is necessary for everyone, not just moms. It’s okay to take time out of your day to recharge and do something you enjoy. We should all make sure we’re taking time out of our day for self-care, whether going on a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family. Self-care for me is waking up early in the morning before anyone gets up so I can grab a cup of coffee and be still before God. No music. Just silence. It took a while to get to that place of enjoying the quiet so I could hear from God and meditate on His goodness and love. The demands of motherhood can be overwhelming; some days, you may feel like you’re not going to make it. But, the truth is that taking care of yourself is vital to being able to take care of others. The following are some tips for caring for yourself daily: – Eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water – Get enough sleep – Exercise regularly – Practice self-compassion Self-care has become a buzzword in recent times and it has been associated with the idea of self-indulgence. But self-care is not about what you do; it’s more about how it makes you feel. It is important to take time out to do things that make you happy and keep your mental health in check. The truth is, our relationships are only as healthy as we are.   Suppose you want to get healthier in every area of your life.  In that case, my book can help you get healthy and whole, so you’re living the best version of yourself, Self-Care Self-Love For Overwhelmed Moms: 17 Truths to Reduce the Guilt, Discover Your True Identity, Build Healthier Relationships and Believe You Are More Than Enough.  Pre-Order your copy here.