Chelsea Natural Health Clinic

One thing I have learned about being a perfect Mum by Craig Coman of Chelsea Natural Health, Fulham Road, Sw10

Well here I sit at 11.37pm on Sunday night awaiting the imminent arrival of our next one. We had a few contractions on Friday but that has all calmed down now. I say ‘we’ but as you know I mean Cas, my wife. It is an interesting time for dads though because while we may not feel each contraction there is a tension and even pain watching the person you love working through them knowing there is virtually nothing you can do. I am going to expand that to nothing you should do. What I have learnt recently is that with all my tips and viewpoints I actually put pressure on my wife at the last birth and so this time I will keep my mouth closed and mind open. Mums want to do everything right and my wife wanted to please me and allow me input with our little guy. However she is very clear that this time it is her show and she will call the shots. So if there is one thing for Mums to learn it is that you are already a perfect mum. I have been in practice around 20 years and I have never seen a Mum do less than her best – it is just not in their nature. I can honestly say that I do not agree with all the approaches I have seen but that would be unrealistic anyway. We all take a path in life and sooner or later we will learn what that choice means –  the point is was the investment worth it?

I am often asked “should I do X or Y?” and my yardstick is based around return on investment. For me if you invest £100 and you get back £105 it was worth the investment but if you only get back £95 then it is not. With health, If you are taking pain killers that are allowing you to do more damage to the affected area then maybe it is not such a great idea. I know a health professional who is taking a drug to lose weight. It makes them feel nauseous all day and they feel dreadful which suggests to me that the liver and digestive tract are under some stress. The simple solution would be to either eat less or do more exercise, however food is the most emotional attachment we have and so this is not always easy.

As a Mum I would suggest that there is no such thing as perfect. You do the best you can with the tools you have and that probably goes for Dads too. I watch Mums bring the child off the breast because it is too hard and the next thing the child has reflux and colic. This is obviously not in every case but it is commonplace. Then they get the sleepless nights and the eczema arrives six months later. I often wonder was that choice back then worth the investment?  As a Mum you are stuck between a rock and a hard place – don’t try to be perfect just think is it worth the investment? I came across an interview with Siobhan Freegard, one of the founders of Netmums, who has written a great little piece about trying to be a perfect Mum with some tips on how to be good enough. To read it go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8524141.stm

I wonder what a perfect Dad looks like?  Not sure that I’ve passed that test this week!

Facial Shiatsu with Jan Murphy at Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Fulham Road, SW10.

Do look out for my new Facial Shiatsu (about to launch).  If you book a course of treatments with me for this, you will certainly not only notice the difference in your complexion but also build up facial suppleness to replicate a youthful appearance.

Look out for leaflets in Reception to read more about this.

I would also like to let you know that Jan Murphy’s Shiatsu Prices (low cost clinic only) have just risen to 60mins – £38.00 and 30mins – £30.00.  Jan also wishes you all to know that this is now a limited space only clinic.

Wishing you all well and looking forward to treating you all in the near future.

Jan Murphy

Shiatsu Therapist & Japanese Bodyworker