TOOLS FOR MUMS: Imke Kauta has released her debut book, <em>The Art Of Navigating Mum Guilt</em>. Photo Kathy Forsyth E4827-02
Kathy Forsyth
Balancing parenthood, work, and various other demands can be stressful and challenging for mothers.
Offering perspective and resources, Whakatāne mum Imke Kauta is thrilled to debut her book, The Art of Navigating Mum Guilt.
Launched yesterday, the book centers around the emotional rollercoaster that Kauta, a mother of two young children, has experienced, and she offers tools to navigate the complexities of motherhood.
“After experiencing birth trauma, post-natal depression, and mental health challenges, I have felt a lot of mum guilt for not being my best for my children,” Kauta said.
“Motherhood is quite a rollercoaster and not that highlight reel you often see on social media. It is actually a lot harder than people talk about.
“When I tried to find resources to know that I am not alone, there wasn’t much available.”
Over three years, Kauta wrote her own book, and in it, she delves into the importance of self-care.
“We need to look after ourselves first before being able to give to anyone else.”
She also collated stories from other mothers in New Zealand, including single mums, stepmothers, and those who have experienced grief or illness.
You can hear some of these interviews on her podcast, Sacred Soul Stories with Imke, available on Spotify.
“This book is like sitting down with a close friend for a comforting and insightful chat, allowing you to feel understood and supported,” she said.
The second half of the book offers practical tools and strategies to empower mothers to raise their children with grace, compassion, confidence, and love.
“There is a lot of self-care, self-love, mindfulness, coming back to your truth, not comparing yourself so much, and slowing yourself down.”
Kauta identified a significant challenge for mums: “We always give to everyone else first before we give to ourselves.”
A perfectionist by nature, she also struggled with striving to get everything right and comparing herself to other mums.
“What I have learned on this journey is that you have to figure out your own values rather than listen to everybody else.
“Figure out what is important to you and focus on that.”
Her book also examines the impact of technology, including how much screen time to allow children.
Kauta hopes her first book will be a guide and resource for those who find motherhood challenging and are experiencing mum guilt, “and that this book will inspire and empower mums worldwide”.
“I am very passionate about supporting mothers who have had a hard time and letting them know they are not alone.”
Kauta describes herself as a busy mum, author, passionate photographer, podcast host, retreat host, mental health advocate, holistic wellness guide (cacao ceremony facilitator, breathwork facilitator, sound healing facilitator, meditation guide, and reiki practitioner), and nature and ocean lover.
She has self-published her book through Amazon, available for Kindle ($11) and as a paperback ($22). It will also be available at Paper Plus Whakatāne for $30, and in the Whakatāne, Edgecumbe, and Murupara libraries.
An audiobook is also planned for release.