Moms often put themselves last on their list of priorities -- if they even put themselves on that list at all. So we asked Dr. Diane Sanford how moms can plan ahead so that they feel celebrated and rejuvenated on Mother's Day, May 9. Dr. Sanford is a psychologist and president of Women's Healthcare Partnership in Creve Coeur. She's also co-authored a brand-new book, Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Moms Postpartum Survival Guide. Here's what Dr. Sanford prescribes:

Dine on French Toast at Cuisine D'Art Brunch
Saturdays and Sundays
Cuisine D'Art, 701 N. New Ballas Road, Creve Coeur
314-995-3003
www.cuisine-dart.com
Let someone else prepare your Mother's Day brunch. Make a reservation for bunch at Cuisine D'Art, a cafe with the best French toast in St. Louis, according to both Dr. Sanford and Fox 2 News Anchor Mandy Murphey.

Bask in the Soothing Scent of Lavender at St. Louis' Lavender Farm
Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winding Brook Estate, 3 Winding Brook Estate Drive, Eureka
636-575-5572
lavender.windingbrookestate.com
While the lavender won't be in bloom until June, the Lavender Shoppe at Winding Brook Estate has a variety of unique gifts inspired by the beautifully aromatic flowers. This spring, the Lavender Farm is offering Spring Tea Lunches in the Olde Red Barn for $18.95. The Lavender Farm also offers specialty classes and online shopping.

Explore Flower Power at Pere Marquette Lodge
Sundays through Thursdays in April (however, a retreat to the Lodge can be a year-round indulgence!)
Pere Marquette Lodge, 13653 Lodge Blvd., Grafton, Ill.
618-786-2331
http://63.135.118.189/packages.cfm
Cost: $99
A bouquet of flowers is a typical -- and beautiful -- Mother's Day gift. Pere Marquette Lodge has turned a native bouquet into an experience. In April, Mom's can enjoy guided walks through the park and information about native flower species during special lodging packages at Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center. With its rustic charm and views of the Mississippi River, the lodge is the perfect place for a weary moms to literally stop and smell the flowers.

Curl Up with a Good Book
Pencil yourself in for an hour of "You Time." Steep some tea and curl up with a good book, such as Dr. Sanford and Anne Dunnewold's newest book, Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Moms Postpartum Survival Guide. While reading, jot done a list of self-care activities you can start doing right away. The book is available on Amazon.com and for $16.95 at through Real Mom Experts.

Steal a Quick Walk or Run
If Mother's Day sneaks up on you and you haven't made plans for some rejuvenation, sneak a quick walk or jog into your special day. Some special tunes can make this healthy break even more enjoyable. The moms at Sprout & About are smitten with their hot pink Yurbuds (especially because $10 from every pink Yurbud purchase is donated to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure).

(The following events have passed, but look for them again in the future!)
Celebrate Motherhood at a Fundraising Luncheon
Saturday, April 24, 11 a.m.
Sqwires Restaurant, 1415 S. 18th St., St. Louis
314-644-7001
www.mothertomothersupport.org
Cost: $50
The journey of motherhood will be honored during the Celebrating Motherhood benefit luncheon for Mother to Mother, a nonprofit organization that provides free telephone and group support to women experiencing postpartum adjustment disorder.

Take a Mini Spa Getaway
Sunday, May 2, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The Center for Mind, Body & Spirit, 7649 Delmar Blvd.
314-725-6767
www.centerformindbodyspirit.com
Cost: $125
Treat yourself to self-care, healthy snacks and the companionship of other mothers. You can benefit from a mini-facial, foot massage, energy work, a short intuitive reading, or a chair massage. Participants can also talk with Dr. Sanford about women's health or Deborah Zorensky, a registered dietitian, about nutrition. Each session is limited to eight women, and participants must RSVP by April 30.

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Diane Sanford has been passionate about helping women improve their emotional health since counseling her first mom 22 years ago.  When her daughter Jessica was born a year later, she became mildly depressed from the challenges of new motherhood.  Instead of practicing self-care, she struggled to cook, clean house, and host family and friends.  This taught her to make emotional health a priority. When her daughter Rachel arrived four years later, she balanced her needs with those of her family.  She had no problems, which convinced her that self-care is key to healthy postpartum adjustment.

An internationally recognized expert in pregnancy and postpartum emotional health, she has appeared on radio and TV shows including Good Morning America.  A media expert for the American Psychological Association, Diane has been interviewed for stories in The New York Times, Washington Post, Parents, Woman’s Day, Redbook, and numerous health/parenting websites.  She is Clinical Director of Mother to Mother, and has served on the Boards of Postpartum Support International, ICEA International Consultants, and Babycenter’s Medical Advisors.  

Diane continues to practice self-care including daily meditation, working out, time with friends, writing, and travel.  She cherishes being a mom, her most important role in life.

Best Bets articles represent the views and the research completed by St. Louis Sprout & About journalists and are not driven by advertising or requests by vendors or venues. Best Bets do not imply an endorsement of a business or activity.

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