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Brew #13: Mom-Stress Relief & A Date Night Under The Stars

Author

Jill Gilbert
January 16, 2025

Raising Highly Sensitive Kids. No Filter.

Hey there, Mama!

When I sat down to write to you this week, I'd just finished talking with another mom about the overwhelming juggle of raising a highly sensitive child – and it filled my heart with such gratitude for our community. Your stories, late-night worries, and honest shares about whether you're "doing it right" are shaping everything we create.

That's why I'm opening up more slots next week for one-on-one conversations (and yes, every mom who chats with me gets our entire suite of upcoming products for free as a thank you!). I'd love to hear your story if you have time. CLICK TO SCHEDULE

💞 Speaking of sharing good things... I'm thrilled to announce our new referral program! The messages keep pouring in about how our strategies are helping you feel less alone and more supported on your HSC mama journey. We want to make it super easy for you to share this support with other moms who might be feeling overwhelmed. Scroll down past this note to see how simple it is to spread the love AND earn some amazing rewards, starting with our limited edition "In My Calm Mama Era" water bottle sticker!

In this issue:

  • 🎁 NEW! Share the love with our rewards program (snag that "In My Calm Mama Era" water bottle sticker!)

  • ✨ Ditch the bubble bath advice: Real stress relief for running-on-empty mamas

  • 👑 Meet your burnout-busting queen: Unyime's free workshop will change your life

  • 🖼️ The genius solution to your kid's art explosion (bye-bye, cluttered fridge!)

  • 🌟 A soul-restoring date night that costs next to nothing

  • 🎧 The addictive podcast that'll make you forget about that laundry pile

💔 And before I sign off…my heart is shattered this week watching the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Having grown up there and having just shown Brody all my old haunts over New Year's - places where friends have now lost everything - this hits especially close to home. Brody, like many of our highly sensitive kiddos, felt deeply moved to help in some way. So we're organizing a neighborhood kids' bake sale where our little ones can channel their big hearts and natural empathy into making a difference. If your family would like to do something similar in your community, just hit reply and I'll share our planning document including the child-focused organization we’ll be donating to in LA. It's beautiful to see how our kids' deep empathy can turn into meaningful action during times of unimaginable loss.

You've got this, and more importantly, you've got us.

Jill

HSC MAMA, FOUNDER & CEO

Introducing Our New Referral Program

Know a mom who needs a little more calm and a lot more support? 💞 Share the love.

We’ve heard how much our readers value this newsletter, so we made it easy for you to share it—while earning great rewards along the way. And, because we love adding a little fun and creativity to our world (and yours), we’re offering things we love alongside exclusive, limited-edition items. And with your personal referral hub, tracking your progress is simple and seamless.

Here’s how it works:

  • 1️⃣ Click the button and grab your unique referral link to share with friends through text, email…or however you communicate.

  • 2️⃣ For every friend that subscribes, you earn exciting rewards.

Perks for Sharing the Love

💧 5 referrals: Unlocks our exclusive Limited Edition "In My Calm Mama Era" Water Bottle Sticker. Your daily reminder that you've got this!

💃 8 referrals: Get "The Ultimate Meltdown Manual" ($47 value). Real-life strategies to handle the toughest moments!

✨ More Cool Rewards Coming Soon!

HOT OFF THE BLOG

Simple Stress Relief for Moms Who Are Running on Empty

Between managing your highly sensitive child's big emotions and juggling everyone else's needs, you're probably running on fumes – and maybe a concerning amount of dry shampoo. We're ditching the generic "take a bubble bath" advice (because who has time for that?) and diving into stress relief techniques that actually work for real moms like you. These quick, practical strategies are easy to implement and have the power to make a huge impact on your stress levels.

YOUR NEXT FAVORITE FOLLOW

In a world that rewards self-sacrifice and burnout, meet Unyime Oguta, a transformational coach who believes that thriving as a woman is a radical act – and that burnout is not the price you pay for success. Through her unique blend of mindset, somatic, and leadership coaching, Unyime helps high-achieving, multi-passionate moms take back control of their time, energy, and identity.

Her mission? Empowering women to lead life with authenticity and courage, creating lives that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside.

And she's got something powerful coming up – a free virtual workshop called SELF-ish happening on January 18th at 11 AM EST/9 AM MST. In this live session, you'll gain the tools to set guilt-free boundaries, rediscover your passions, and start living a life that feels like yours again. Because thriving as more than "just" a mother isn't selfish – it's essential for both you and your family.

THIS WEEK’S MUST-HAVE

Between the finger paintings, the school projects, and those adorable scribbled family portraits (where everyone somehow has purple hair), your highly sensitive kiddo's artwork is probably taking over your fridge, but we’ve found the perfect solution.

Jill just ordered 6 of these for Brody’s art. No more scotch-taped art work on her walls.

Dynamic Kids Art Frames

WHY WE LOVE IT

Here's why this frame is a total game-changer: it opens like a book, making it super easy to swap out art. Plus, it secretly stores up to 50 pieces of previous masterpieces behind the current showpiece – meaning you can finally clear off some of that fridge real estate without the guilt!

WHAT IT’S USEFUL FOR

This Golden State Art Frame is perfect for those precious moments when your sensitive child presents you with their latest creation and anxiously watches for your reaction. Having a dedicated display space shows them their art matters, building their confidence and creative expression.

PRO-TIP

Snap a quick photo of each masterpiece before storing it in the frame. That way, you've got a digital art gallery of their creative journey (and backup copies for when Grandma inevitably asks for her own print!).

☕ Sip & Support: While "A Cuppa Momsense" is our gift to you, some product links may be affiliates. If you treat yourself, we might get a little something too – at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep the coffee flowing! 💖

DATE NIGHT IDEA: CHASE THE STARS

Star Gazing + Cozy Blankets = A Wonderfully Calm Night Out

Ready for a date night that won't break the bank but might just restore your soul? Time to call that babysitter and chase some stars. Trust me – after spending your days managing meltdowns and big emotions, there's something magical about driving away from the city lights and into absolute peace.

Here's your stargazing adventure guide

First, hop over to DarkSiteFinder (it's basically Google Maps for star chasers). Those blue and gray areas? That's where the magic happens – the darker the spot on the map, the more stars you'll see. Find the nearest dark blue patch that's within your "we've got a babysitter!" time limit.

Once you've found a promising dark area on the map, take a few minutes to Google "stargazing spots near [location]" before heading out. This quick research will help you find safe, legal places to park and set up.

Pack this:

  • Your coziest blanket

  • Thermos of something warm (or a bottle of wine, we don't judge)

  • Snacks that don't make noise (important!)

  • Camping chairs or blanket to sit on

Pro tips:

  • Check the moon phase before you go – a new moon means more visible stars

  • Download the Star Walk app before you leave city cell service

  • Pack hand warmers if it's chilly

  • Tell someone where you're heading (safety first, even on date night!)

Look, we know it's not always easy to get away. Between arranging childcare and the drive time, it might feel like a lot of effort. But sometimes the best gift you can give yourself (and your relationship) is the space to remember who you are when you're not being touched, needed, or managing someone else's big feelings. Out there under the stars, you might just find that mama who loves adventures – she's still there, and she deserves this night out. ✨

MOM-TIME PODCAST PICK

Crime Junkie

I know what you're thinking - a true crime podcast might seem like an odd recommendation from us. But hear me out! Sometimes after a rough day, you just need to lose yourself in a completely different world. That's where Crime Junkie comes in.

Host Ashley Flowers and her best friend Brit have mastered the art of storytelling without the unnecessary gory descriptions that can keep you up at night. Their respectful, well-researched approach feels like chatting with friends who love solving mysteries as much as you do (Disclaimer: they do discuss the manner of death but I have never felt it has been overly graphic, however if you are squeamish, this is not the podcast for you).

Each Monday, they release a new episode that'll have you so engrossed, you might actually forget to fold that laundry pile (no judgment here - we've all been there!). From cold cases to missing persons stories, they dive deep into the details while keeping things tasteful and focused on seeking justice.

Until next week, sip slowly & savor the calm ☕️