by Jennifer M
(Currents May 2001, Children's Corner Column)

Do you ever find yourself on the verge of mental and physical collapse? Being a good parent takes a lot of hard work, patience and understanding, which I often find to be in short supply when I have not gotten enough sleep or have been kept running around all day chasing after children. Rebecca Cunningham and Susan Whelehan have written a book just for us called Meditating Mamas (go to book links below). Below you will find a small excerpt of meditations and mantras to remind you throughout your day to "stop, breathe, relax and reflect". For two-sentence mantras, breathe in on the first and out on the second. For one-sentence mantras, simply divide the mantra into two parts, breathing in on the first and out on the second. I borrowed this text from Mothering Magazine, No. 105, March/April 2001, pp. 35-37.

  Anger

There are times when anger accompanies me through the day. It slowly simmers as the third shirt of the morning is covered with spit up. It steams while I juggle you, the groceries, the stroller, and the front door keys. It is close to boiling over when a dirty diaper lands face down on the carpet and there are no clean ones close by. And then you work your magic. With a glance, a gurgle, or a giggle, you invite me to let anger go: to join you and enjoy you on today's journey.

      I let anger go. I come with you.

  Worry

Worry taps on the window and lets itself in before I've opened my eyes. It skitters underfoot and settles in for the day. You haven't eaten enough . . . you've eaten too much. You didn't nap long enough . . . you're sleeping awfully long. You seem fussy . . . you're too quiet. I will sit face-to-face with worry. I welcome conscientious caution. I reject paranoia. I will open the door and let worry out.

      Open the door. Let worry out.

  Laughter

Oh, to see and hear and feel you laugh. Such delight! Such presence! You pass it around the room. You make strangers smile. You lift my spirits and help me remember what is really important. Such is the power of laughter.

      Your laughter lifts my spirits.

  Yes

I said "Yes" to the life growing inside me. I said "Yes" to the unknown journey before me. Every day, each feeding, diaper change, walk in the part, and wiping of your runny little nose is another "Yes" to my love for you. It is sometimes given grudgingly, unthinkingly, or yawningly. But I trust that it is given enough times lovingly, that when the day comes when I fail you and I ask forgiveness you shall answer, "Yes".

      Let me give my "Yes" lovingly.

  Kindness

Another bag of used baby clothes. Another call to connect me with my former life. Another "You look wonderful!" when I know the bags under my eyes could hold the laundry. Acts of kindness made by people who look outside of themselves.

      I give thanks for all kindness. I seek to be that kind.

Remember: stop, breathe, relax and reflect!

Any of the books listed below can be ordered from Amazon.de. Simply click on the Amazon.de logo or image of the book cover, and you will be taken directly to the book's page at the Amazon.de site. If you put the book into the "shopping basket" and order it right then, AWC will receive 15% rebate on the price of the book (thank you!). Then click the "Back" button at the top of your browser to get back to this page.

Order Meditating Mamas: A Spiritual Resource for New Mothers by Susie Whelehan and Rebecca Cunningham from Amazon.de

Order Hebammensprechstunde (Midwives Consulting Hours) by Ingeborg Stadelmann from Amazon.de