Mindful Motherhood

There was a great article in The Huffington Post recently about "mindful motherhood," written by Cassandra Vieten, author of a book also called Mindful Motherhood. She refers to scientific research about mindfulness to demonstrate her point: that being aware in the present moment helps you attune to your baby, be aware of her communication style, and react positively to her emotions and needs. Your baby is always in the present moment! Shouldn't you join her there?

Practicing mindfulness during baby's first year of life is especially important, Vieten says, since it helps lay the groundwork for the mothering style you will grow into as your baby grows, too. It also communicates to your child from day one that you are mentally and emotionally there for her when she needs you to be.

For me, practicing yoga helps me be mindful throughout the rest of my day. That certainly filters into my mothering style (at least I strive for it to). Of course, I can get distracted by the phone, e-mail, etc., too.

Sometimes I definitely have to stop and remind myself that even though my baby can't communicate with words yet, he is still very aware of everything I'm doing, and he deserves my full attention—not my partial attention. If I try to sneak in a quick e-mail check during our together time, he is quickly attuned to it and lets me know with a few appropriate whines. He's right; being with him is a joy. Why would I want to take my attention away from him when he is growing up faster than I ever could have imagined?

So I make a vow: my computer time is best left for his nap times (like right now).

Want to rekindle your own dedication to mindfulness? Choose a class or workshop that helps bring you back to center and sign up now.

How else do you bring mindfulness into your parenting? Leave a comment and let us know what works for you. See you in the studio!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma