The Self-Care Solution: A Modern Mother's Must-Have Guide to Health and Well-Being

by Julie Burton

Combining the thoughtful and expert narrative of a veteran mom of four children with the voices of hundreds of moms she surveyed, The Self-Care Solution offers insightful answers to poignant questions about how mothers take care of themselves, their relationships, and their jobs while raising their children―and how they don’t. Here, mothers reveal their struggles with self-care, and the consequences of neglecting themselves and their relationships, and share successful strategies to combat these issues. Each chapter also includes reflective self-assessment questions for mothers to gauge where they are from a self-care standpoint, as well as lists of tried and true tools they can employ to achieve more balance, and ultimately more satisfaction, within themselves and in their relationships. Inspirational yet practical, The Self-Care Solution will dramatically impact women who are navigating the critical responsibility of motherhood while attempting to stay true to themselves.

230 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2016

Reviews

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the time I finished reading the second chapter I knew I would gift this uplifting book to my niece, the mother of an almost two-year-old. And though its intended audience is mothers, this well-articulated, solution-oriented, actionable guide is a beacon for anyone who would benefit from self-care—and that’s all of us!

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading the table of contents is all that is necessary to get the gist of this book. It wasn’t all that insightful, and really not that helpful. Giving a tip that taking care of your body means taking a walk or going to the gym is the extent of the helpfulness of this book.

Take care of your body, get rest, cultivate joy, find connection, set boundaries, nurture your marriage, find work-life balance, and never give up are the “solutions.” Beyond that, it’s just a lot of rambling about the author’s own life and random quotes from other mothers.

[Hallie Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the practical yet personal approach Julie takes with this book. Along with sharing her tried and true self-care practices, she weaves in her personal stories and revelations to create an empathic connection with her readers. It's a mix of memoir mixed with self-help which I really loved.

[Nichelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I wish I had read 20 years ago. Instead of debating whether or not the best of motherhood is spent as a career mom, WAHM, or SAHM, we should be provoking one another to good self-care. Give this book at every baby shower.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It petered off for me closer to the end, but overall is was an affirming read about taking care of yourself as a mom.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Perfect read for me at this time in my life. A book I will revisit in the future for sure.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have to say that my old classmate Julie knocked it out of the park with this one!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Uplifting reaffirming and great reminder of the importance of self care. Liked her style of writing too.

[Dey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. Nothing really stuck out to me. Appreciated her honesty about eating disorder, struggles with knowing when to care for herself.

[Cady Minyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must-read for mummies. The mindset to set boundaries for yourself and your children. Self-care is not selfish.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The practice of self-care is one that needs to taught from little on. Motherhood adds another level of self-care that is often forgot. Mothers have a tendency to lose themselves and concentrate on mothering.

I learned this lesson very early on,whether from an article, person, or what I don't remember anymore. This book is an excellent summary of the techniques I have been using to be the best Mom I can be. When my son finished nursing at 14 months I told myself and husband I was going to rediscover me and take back myself. Since that time I have been happier, healthier, and in a better place as a individual, wife, mother, daughter, and sister.

Every mother should have this on her shelf and revisit as you, your children, and your family make transitions. It is an excellent reminder that taking care of you is an extension of taking care of everyone around you.

[Julie Jo Severson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Burton bravely shares her journey from rock bottom in the self-care department to wholeness— combined with real-life stories of other women she’s interviewed and powerful, practical, bite-sized ideas for incorporating self-care into our everyday lives. In countless ways, it was like reading my own story. Julie, a mother of four, writes, “I feel my children’s feelings, and I take on their issues as if they are my own. I struggle—I mean I really struggle, at a cellular level—to understand where I stop and they start, or where they stop and I start.” Oh my gosh, she nails it with those lines and all throughout the book. Her insights on marriage also had a profound impact on me.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Burton's book goes beyond the call for mothers to take better care of themselves. She does not just explain the problem in general terms. We hear her personal story and she provides many concrete ideas and solutions to try to add more self care to our lives. That's what made The Self-Care Solution stand out from other books describing the problem of moms putting themselves last. This one takes the time to provide so many great ideas. I appreciated Burton's honesty about her own story as well. Beautiful writing and practical solutions. Highly recommend.

[Irene Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific advice for all women needing self-care (and not just mothers!)

This charming, big-hearted book is full of insight and wisdom that can help women needing time and care for themselves, women caring for others, and women needing to create healthier boundaries. I loved the honesty, the warm spiritual approach, the wonderfully practical tips, and the personal stories shared by the author. I was grateful to have won this book in a contest. It’s a lovely discovery and a delight to read!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I wholeheartedly agree with Burton's message and have worked hard to implement it myself, but it is hard. Very hard. She gives great practical advice while digging deep into her own vulnerabilities and failures to remind us mothers that this matters. An easy read (which is good for busy moms) but worth it.

[Jennifer Cramer-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Brene Brown does for vulnerability and shame, Julie Burton does for motherhood and self-care. A great book for moms!

[Kelly Lang]

A must read for all moms!