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MOMS WHO INSPIRE: BAILEY GADDIS

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Moms Who Inspire: Bailey Gaddis

M

ANNA GANNON OCTOBER 11, 2016

Photo credit: Robin Emtage

After one read of Bailey Gaddiss About Me page on her site, Your Serene Life, I knew I wanted to
interview her for Moms Who Inspire because shes insanely inspiring and hilarious.
During our conversation, I mentioned to Bailey that I find it hysterical that she admits in her bio that
she cant stop bragging about attending an event hosted by Michelle Obama at the White House. She
laughed and went on to tell me that she was at an event that morning and bragged about it to the
strangers next to her. Its just such a cool thing to have experienced, why not brag about it? she said
laughing.
This is Bailey Gaddis. funny, honest and high on life.

Bailey is the Author of Feng Shui Mommy (coming out May 2017), a Childbirth Preparation Educator,
Hypnotherapist, Birth Doula, travel addict and writer on all of the above. Bailey decided that she
wanted to help women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum after the birth of her first child.
Using Hypno-anesthesia as a method for her labor, she was able to have a pain-free natural childbirth.
This empowered her to want to help other women experience their own bliss during their motherhood
journeys.
When speaking to Bailey, I asked her what the first few days were like after she gave birth. I ask this
often to other moms as a way to bond over stories of sleepless nights and crying babies, but Baileys
answer was one that opened my eyes to a different experience than my own.
She replied as if reliving the experience as she spoke, Blissful.
This isnt the typical answer I receive and its not even close to how I describe the first few days of my
motherhood path, but when she said it, my body filled with love. It was really beautiful to see a
different perspective on whats usually a difficult time.
I learned so much from Bailey in our brief conversation, and Im so happy to share more below.
1. Whats your favorite part about being a mom?
Becoming a mother has allowed me to swim in the new brand of love that was birthed with my son;
when I first held him it was like this dam holding back super-intense love crumbled and flooded me with
its deliciousness. This new type of love continues to wash through me each time I have a really lovely
moment of connection with my son- its a wild ride of physical warmth, mental calm and spiritual
invigoration that equals a potent form of bliss.
Sure, this mama brand love is likely one part Oxytocin, but the other part is something mysterious
that goes beyond hormones. Even in times when motherhood is so freaking difficult (which is a lot of
the time for me) I still get blast with this mama-love in the exact moments I need it most; its like the
Universe is infusing me with a knowing that, Yes! I can do this. We can do this.
Can I choose another favorite? Im thrilled that being a mom has reconnected me with my childlike
wonder. Having a child has given me a free-pass to get goofy-level excited about holidays, the new
slide at the park, trying the mystery flavor at the frozen yogurt shop or anything else adults typically
react to with watered down reactions and emotions.
2. Whats been the biggest challenge being a mom?
Its been really challenging getting to know the nitty-gritty of my core self. My pre-baby ignorance
about my self was pretty nice, but it didnt facilitate the juicy growth Ive been forced through since
becoming a mommy. Being pushed past my limits in regards to fear (of something horrible happening
to my child), guilt (that Im not good enough), love (that is so intense it can be scary), and some serious
confusion (over the symphony of unknowns flowing through motherhood) has shown me how I
navigate the landscape outside those limits- sometimes I surprise myself and sometimes I totally fail.
Each time I explore this area outside my limits-of-comfort, which is quite often, Im offered another
opportunity for exploration and expansion. Ugh, so much forced exploring and expanding! It can be
exhausting, but its the best. Oh, and potty training- its so hard.
3. Self-care can be a challenge for moms. What advice do you have for moms who want to
incorporate more self-care into their lives?
Seek out endorphins! An infusion of physical movement, preferably accompanied by sweat, is a must.
Postpartum hormones and the general unpredictability of parenting can cause some serious mood
swings and cavernous dips in energy; committing to at least thirty minutes of exercise each day will
help to stabilize your hormones and energy level (and sanity!) The resulting flow of endorphins from
exercise will also make it easier to engage in other forms of self-care like meditating, napping, writing,
(fill in your preferred concoction of self-care here) because your body and mind will be at ease.

Your exercise routine doesnt need to be complicated or traditional, you can wake up your
endorphins by running around with your kiddo at the park for half an hour, strapping baby to your
chest and walking around the block a few times, doing some lunges while youre screen-vegging, or
partaking in any other physical activity that makes you say Yay! If I didnt exercise each day I would
likely need (more) therapy and extra chocolate.
4. Whats the one piece of relationship advice you would give to new parents?
Get out of your house and talk about anything but your child. New parents are so drenched in
parenthood it can be difficult to think about, or do, anything else, which often serves to disconnect you
from yourself, and your partners self. Schedule a trusted friend or family member to watch your baby
for at least two hours one day a week and get the heck out of Dodge. I dont care if you just sit out in
your car and talk (or make out! Or take a nap!), just make sure youre not doing anything responsible
or parent-y.
Force yourself to think up non-parent-related topics to discuss or activities to explore, helping remind
you that youre not just parents but two unique individuals who fell in love with each other for more
than your shared ability to change a diaper. And yes, the subject of your chubby cherub will likely
wiggle its way in; thats fine, as long as the verbal version of the cherub isnt hanging with you the
entire time. If the infamous creature of guilt joins you on these outings, remind it that fostering a
healthy relationship with your childs other parent will strengthen your abilities to mother.
5. Whats one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you as a mom?
All the advice I offer new parents is advice I need in my own life. Im in no way some Mama Ninja that
has it all figured out; I too am a student of motherhood. The women I know and work with are my peers
and support team; kind of like my Master Mind Mommy Team. They (and you!) inspire me to look
deeper into challenges of motherhood, and life in general, I didnt even think to look in (or were too
scared to examine) and meditate on possible solutions, or ways to find peace with challenges that cant
be solved.
The key word here is meditation- I couldnt write or speak a single word of substance without closing
my eyes, commanding myself to be still and noticing what comes up. Mediation, coupled with the
support and wisdom of other women is what allows me to function as a mother.
Another surprising (but maybe not so surprising) confession: Sugar, screen time and bribes are alive
and well in my household, but we try to couple their use with the philosophy of balance (some days are
more balanced than others.)
6. What lesson do you most want to pass on to your child?
My wish for my son is to get to know the voice of his intuition and learn to honor it. When we push
aside all the noise were often left with a very wise voice that almost always knows the best path for us
to take in any given situation. Advanced age is not a prerequisite of intuition, babies and children are
often the most apt at following their inner guide because their minds have not been cluttered with the
demands and beliefs of society. I want to teach my son the value of quieting his mind and listening to
his wise voice that will likely provide him with much better advice than I could ever give.
I hope to expand my own ability to tap into my intuition as I help him hold on to this ability that is
currently innate in him. If hes able to continue following the guru at his core, all the other important life
lessons like how to give and receive love, treat the Earth with respect, roast the perfect marshmallow,
not be afraid of failure, or any of the other gorgeous options from the menu of Life Lessons will
organically be a part of his existence.

Are you pregnant or a new mom?

Expectful is a digital platform that makes meditation easy for expectant and new moms. Each one of
our guided meditations has been created to support you throughout your pregnancy and motherhood
journey.
Our mission is to help you give your baby the best start in life. Go to expectful.com and sign up for our
free 30-day meditation trail.

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