Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children: Becoming a Mindful Parent

This is my all-time favorite parenting book. Napthali emphasizes a mindfulness approach to parenting that has since been taken up by many parenting experts. Her writing is beautiful and profound, which causes me to take a breath and absorb it every few sentences. I find the strategies of utilizing a beginner’s mind, recognizing the moment-to-moment change in our children, and giving our non-judgmental attention to others as a gift incredibly helpful in my parenting journey.

These books changed my life and really frames the task of being a new mom in a quite radical way: your love for yourself and the world must be the same as your love for child. Every Buddhist lesson can be learned and should be learned through the tasks of parenting. Keep it by my bedside. Best addition to my life to help with being a mom. Get it for all moms!

What I like about this book is that the author writes as both a practicing Buddhist and a hands-on mother, and her personal stories bring the two together. She doesn't write in the voice of a Buddhist 'teacher', or as a parenting expert. She shares stories from the trenches of her daily experience, and is very honest about how she feels in the moment. This makes it easy to translate into your own life.All of the chapters revolve around a question, such as 'Who am I?', 'Where am I going?', 'What does this moment require?' and even 'What can I do about all the housework?' The most meaningful chapter to me personally was 'Who are my children?', which addresses the ideas and projections we often impose on our children, out of concern or denial.I personally liked this book more than the prior, because it also covers the themes of mindfulness well, but branches out into more psychological issues associated with motherhood and ties them back to Buddhism. I think any parent can benefit from this book.

Thank you for writing a book that is relatable, real and inspiring. Not to mention encouraging and thoughtful. I've started my day with it for a few weeks now and it has helped guide my daily parenting.

Every parent should read this book. Its not a religious book, its a book on how to live a better life and be more present for you children. Wish I had this a few years ago. Anyone could benefit from reading this.

I'm not really a Buddhist, per say, but this book is wonderful. It has provided me with the tools to have a whole new perspective on raising my daughter. It especially taught me to focus on the little things and soak up every moment of my daughter's fleeting childhood. I read this book at night and it is very calming and reassuring. A must read for new moms!

This is a gift I would like to give all mothers. A new perspective on the often challenging work of being a mother. Our presence is the greatest gift we can give our children and sometimes we just need perspective...this is the book that provides it.

A beautiful book. I'm always looking for ways to be the best person I can be and that includes all of the roles I have...especially mom. I believe that living in the present and being mindful leads to a more fullfilling life no matter what religion you belong to. I had seen this book originally at a local book store but knew I would always get a better price on Amazon! And it arrived quickly after order was placed.

I am not a buddhist, but I am a mother of 2. This book won't change the way I parent but it has had a massive impact on my enjoyment of parenting. I feel happier and more accepting of my self and my children in a life changing way. This book has given me several moments of deep insight in to how my expectations and my way of thinking about certain situations has caused me unnecessary unhappiness. I aim to be more accepting of 'now' This book is very accessible, not at all preachy, warm, and compasionate. I am looking forward to finding out more about Buddhism as I found some of the teachings mentioned very helpful.

This is possibly better than Sarah's first Buddhism for Mothers book as it reflects on more in-depth Buddhist teachings and compares it to motherhood in a seamless, eloquent and effective way. It is the only book you will ever need to provide you with practical tips on entering motherhood with a sense of calm - and continuing to parent in the best way possible, that benefits both your child and their future in this crazy world. It has left me appreciative of even the most mundane moments in motherhood and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about myself through my little 'zen masters' ☺️

This is a fabulous book. With so much going on with our emotions as mothers this book helps to put things in perspective and see things from your child's point of view. Scrap all the parenting books that tell you how to be a parent, this book doesn't tell you what you should or shouldn't be doing, it offers an insight into what might work best for you and ways to alleviate the stresses of everyday life. It inspired me to get in to yoga and meditation which has brought so many benefits to my life.

This book is incredible and definitely a must to read and re read again and again. It reminds us to cherish our children and ourselves, to focus on each moment we have with our children because they change all the time, and to be in the moment rather than dwelling on the future or the past. It also reminds us not to judge ourselves harshly when we make mistakes, but instead to be mindful of the moment and to watch our feelings come and go, to come from a place of compassion and love for our wonderful children, ourselves and those around us. It is a book I already treasure.

A friend of mine who is now a mother recommended this book to me and I loved it. It is not dictating you certain ways but telling you what is natural to do. I think reading this book would calm you down during motherhood.