Mothering

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Five Breathing Techniques to Calm Kids (and Adults too!)

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Five Breathing Techniques to Calm Kids (and Adults too!)

The foundation of any meditation practice is connection to the breath. Our breath not only nourishes our body through delivering vital oxygen to the blood, but it also acts as a current of energy that has the power to quickly and effectively calm our nervous system. Through slow, rhythmic breathing we can steady our heart rate, lower our blood pressure and soothe our nerves all at once.

But mindful breathing is not just reserved for meditation. It is an incredible tool that can help not only ourselves, but also the kiddos in our lives. Think about how much time children spend in the womb connected to the rhythm of the mother's heart and breath only to emerge into a world that can feel chaotic and discombobulating at times. The steady tide of the breath helps pull them back into the their natural flow and is an incredibly soothing way to re-center and reconnect.

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The Joy of Mindfulness Meditation (and How You Can Do It Too)

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The Joy of Mindfulness Meditation (and How You Can Do It Too)

This morning was one of those rushed sort of scenes in our household. My daughter's breakfast was still only half-eaten when we were supposed to be walking out the door, I was slapping hummus on her sandwich while barking at her to EAT, and my husband was running upstairs to take his first call for the day. 

Go. Go. Go.

It wasn't until I got home from dropping her at school that I caught myself in the frenzy of the energy. All at once I noticed that I felt anxious and clenched, and I found myself instinctively taking a deep breath and reminding myself to just be here right now in this moment. 

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Love, and Start with Yourself

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Love, and Start with Yourself

This is a love letter, an anthem.

It began as a gift to myself on this day of my birth. Somewhere along the way it turned into a lullaby to my most precious daughter. And finally it became this collection of sweet nothings for all of us. 

So listen, dear one. This is for you...

Your desires are beautiful, and they are right on time. Allow the longings of your heart, and pay attention to them. Dream big.

Criss Cross Apple Sauce

Tonight I am grateful for first haircuts complete with raspberries and fizzy water in wine glasses.

I am grateful for braid crowns and sweet princess giggles.

I am grateful for lessons in playing pretend and practice building couch forts.

I am grateful for squeaky three-year-old voices and completely nonsensical jokes.

I am grateful for lap cuddles and kiss attacks and tickles that really just hurt.

I am grateful for the mom stuff that some days I forget to notice.

Tonight I am grateful that I noticed. 

Even if it took all those tears yesterday to clear my eyes to see today.