By Danielle Simone Brand
Like a lot of other moms, I used to enjoy a glass of champagne or two on Mother’s Day. It seemed like a fun tradition, after all, to unwind over brunch with a little help from alcohol on this beloved, mom-centered holiday. But a few years agoas a mother of two young kids in my mid-thirtiesI realized that drinking was no longer serving me well. Sure, I’d feel a little giddy and relaxed with one of those brunch mimosasfor a short while. After that, I’d just get sleepy and snappy with my kids. A headache usually followed.
And I know I’m not alone. Alcohol is a toxin that negatively affects the body’s organ systems, and moms everywhere are waking up to the fact that alcohol’s downsides (hangovers, cravings, potential dependence, a spike in the stress hormone cortisol) easily cancel out its short-term stress relief. In other words, alcohol doesn’t actually helpand could hurt.
Enter cannabis. While I had spent most of my life avoiding, and even disliking, the plant before I knew very much about it, legalization changed the game. Now, with easy access to cannabis education and a diversity of products that help me calibrate how I want to feel, I find that responsibly using both CBD and THC is totally compatible with being a good mom and partner.
While writing my book, Weed Mom: The Canna-Curious Woman’s Guide to Healthier Relaxation, Happier Parenting, and Chilling TF Out, I interviewed dozens of other cannamoms about the role cannabis plays in their lives. Some of these cannamoms felt comfortable being publicly open about their enjoyment of the plant, while others felt the sting of judgment and stigma. The truth is that increasing numbers of peoplemany of them momsare finding that cannabis helps with relaxation, stress relief, sleep, sex, and painas well as for patience and creativity while parenting. But thanks to the persisting taboos and stoner stereotypes, many moms just aren’t talking about ityet. I’m hoping that my book helps change the conversation and lessen the stigmas around responsible cannabis use for moms. Legalization is here to stayand the more we learn about the plant, the less we have to fear!
Personally, I enjoy CBD, one of the non-intoxicating compounds found in cannabis for toning down anxiety and getting a good night’s sleep. I also enjoy consuming a low-dose THC edible (aka microdosing) in calm parenting moments where connection and fun are the goals. Microdosing helps me let go of my agenda long enough to get lost in crafting projects or board games with my two kids, ages 8 and 11, or to play frisbee in the backyard for as long as they want. I also enjoy inhaling cannabis via smoke or vapor from time to time, and the right dose of an uplifting strain helps me feel both focused and creative; of course, responsible use is key, so I make sure to do so outside of my kids’ presence.
There are so many ways cannabis can enhance the health and wellness of moms like me, and so many reasons thatfor a lot of usconsuming the plant is a healthier alternative to alcohol. So, this Mother’s Day, I probably won’t be clinking any celebratory glasses of champagne, butwith a little TLC from THCI will be engaged, happy, and chilled outall without the hangover.
Danielle Simone Brand is a freelance writer and the author of Weed Mom: The Canna-Curious Woman’s Guide to Healthier Relaxation, Happier Parenting, and Chilling TF Out. A few years ago, she wouldn’t have self-described as a “weed mom” but she’s found her sparkle in writing about cannabis to inform, uplift, and occasionally challenge her readers while helping push the conversation forward. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications including The Week, Civilized, Vice, Double Blind, What’s Up Moms, and Scary Mommy. She holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MA from American University and has worked as a yoga teacher and trainer, a staff writer, and a researcher on issues of international conflict resolution. Danielle lives with her husband, two kids, and a barky terrier in the Pacific Northwest.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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