8. Mothering Through Your Menstrual Cycle

My guest in this episode is the extremely knowledgeable Kate Codrington. Kate is a very experienced womens health therapist, and an expert in all things menstrual cycle, periods, perimenopause and menopause.   In this episode we chat all about mothers and menstrual cycle, parenting and periods. Because you have available to you a simple yet amazingly valuable tool to make your life as a mother easier, less stressful, calmer and more connected - all through connection to your menstrual cycle. Yes really! It can have a big impact in terms of your energy levels, your emotions, your sleeps - so much is affected by our cycle. It’s something I am personally fascinated by. I think from listening to this episode you may well have quite a few ‘aha’ moments. It's super easy to do, costs nothing, and Kate talks you through it simply in our chat. We recorded this a little while ago, it was such fun to do. I’ve just listened back to it and I have to say it's a real corker of an episode. I mean we even get a Radiohead reference in there!I hope you enjoy it.  Thing we talk about: ~ the big picture, and the fact we are not linear. That we as humans are cyclical, just as plants and animals and nature are too. And how a way to tap into the cyclical nature of the world is by connecting with our own inner cycles and our menstrual cycle.  ~ how can your menstrual cycle be a practical tool for mothering. If you listen to your body, you ‘ll be better rested, less stressed, less pain, more energetic, more creative, and calmer in your relationships too. Pretty bold statement!  ~ how tracking your energy and mood through your cycle, using a paper chart (link below) or a free app can help you to see a pattern, and then you can anticipate and learn what you need to support yourself. Which means you can be more present to, and mother more effectively, the children you care for.  ~ how a connection to your period enables you to mother more easily, more wholly and is a way to model self-care for your own children.  ~ the ‘seasonal’ model of the menstrual cycle - Summer, Spring. Autumn, Winter  ~ the importance of rest at certain times of your cycle  ~ we talk about loads of practices that I really and do love myself - journaling, restorative yoga, rest, yoga nidra, eating chocolate!.  Show links: Find Kate here: https://www.instagram.com/kate_codrington/ https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/ A free paper tracking chart can be accessed through here https://katecodringtonmassage.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2219bba725001da70dadecfc6&id=d2c160c5d9 The book we mention, highly recommended is 'Wild Power' by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Huge Wurlitzer too https://redschool.net/wildpower/ And don't forget to subscribe to the For Modern Mothers Podcast for the latest conversations on all things modern motherhood. Enjoy the episode, and as ever get in touch with any questions or feedback too. As well as ideas for future episodes that you want me to explore are always welcome too. Susan x