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66th out of 196 books
—
262 voters
Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children
Addressing the often-overlooked spiritual needs of mothers, this book discusses Buddhist teachings as applied to the everyday challenges and stresses of raising children. Offered are ways for mothers to reconnect with their inner selves and become calmer and happier—with the recognition that a happier mother will be a better parent. This realistic look at motherhood acknow...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
September 1st 2003
by Allen & Unwin
(first published January 1st 2003)
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This was exactly the book I was looking for and listening to it on audiobook was a delight. Sarah Napthali uses personal examples and insight to relay how the concepts of Buddhist practice can make even the most weary mom a calm, more able parent. One doesn't need to be a Buddhist to use the tools Sarah has provided.
As I listened to Sarah talk about her own struggles as a mother of small children, I was instantly able to relate. Her frank approach to discussing the feelings of being overwhelmed,...more
As I listened to Sarah talk about her own struggles as a mother of small children, I was instantly able to relate. Her frank approach to discussing the feelings of being overwhelmed,...more
A good 'reminder' book for parents. While I don't see myself becoming an 'official' Buddhist anytime soon, I did find lots of helpful ideas and tools in this book for my never-ending quest for mindful and compassionate parenting (which seems like it should be a no-brainer, but everyone with kids knows different!).
I really like the take that Napthali takes on parents as meditators - to parapharse:
It is nice to have unlimited time to meditate, but parents of small children are really on the harde...more
I really like the take that Napthali takes on parents as meditators - to parapharse:
It is nice to have unlimited time to meditate, but parents of small children are really on the harde...more
The most meaningful parenting book I've read (and I've read a lot). Using realistic anecdotes from her own life to illustrate Buddhist principles, she clearly illustrates the ways that Buddhism as a philosophy (as opposed to a religious dogma) can help any parent. Rather than giving me specific strategies to cure my children's behavior problems--like most books do--she goes at it by looking at the only thing I really CAN fix: my own response to the behavior. It all worked so well that I immediat...more
This has been one of my favorite parenting books to date. It is an easy-to-understand Buddhist approach to living with children. This is the book that really put into perspective for me that my children come from me, but are not me. On a daily basis I have to remind myself that my children are autonomous human beings with minds that I can never know, only experience in increments. I also felt like the guidance in this book regarding how to be the calm [or find humor] in the center of chaos was p...more
when you care for yourSELF, the children get all the benefits
lovely (and perfect) to read while I was away from my children on a trip :)
favorite passages:
"Examining our anxiety about aging reveals a Buddhist truth about all unhappiness and suffering: It is not always the suffering itself that makes us miserable so much as our resistance to it." (page 159)
"Busyness undermines our capacity for acts of love by robbing us of time to listen to others, notice how they're feeling and help them." (page...more
lovely (and perfect) to read while I was away from my children on a trip :)
favorite passages:
"Examining our anxiety about aging reveals a Buddhist truth about all unhappiness and suffering: It is not always the suffering itself that makes us miserable so much as our resistance to it." (page 159)
"Busyness undermines our capacity for acts of love by robbing us of time to listen to others, notice how they're feeling and help them." (page...more
I really enjoyed reading this book. Napthali wrote a lot of being peaceful and calm, and the book felt peaceful and calm. The preface spoke to me in so many levels and when I read that I knew I had to read the whole book!
That said, I don't plan on becoming Buddhist (which I have to say in case some relatives read this and start to panic and call me to talk to me about it LOL!) But, there are some great ideas in there that are too good to borrow.
I think Napthali is a gifted writer and I love how...more
That said, I don't plan on becoming Buddhist (which I have to say in case some relatives read this and start to panic and call me to talk to me about it LOL!) But, there are some great ideas in there that are too good to borrow.
I think Napthali is a gifted writer and I love how...more
I appreciate this series, though I don’t always care for the author’s point of view. I like the subject and that the books are written in an easy style for a general audience. However, I get frustrated with Napthali at times because she is too all-inclusive with her language. She’ll say things like, “Remember when you first brought your newborn home, and you had no idea what you were doing and you thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’” Well no, actually, that may be a common experience, but...more
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OK, this is pretty unusual for me, to give a book one-star. But, this one was just not my cup of tea at all. It was recommended to me by a mother that I respect a great deal, and some reviews seemed to indicate that you would not need to be an active Buddhist to get some great value from this book. So, I gave it a try with an open mind and a willingness to learn. What I quickly saw was that much of the book is just quotes from other people with which I have nothing in common. One mother said tha...more
I loved this book so much that I kind of stalled...towards the end. Loved the format and the theme. Each chapter had a summary at the end, but I hated (so not a "buddhist" emotion...)the start of each chapter. She would start each new chapter on the left side and at the very top of the page. I guess I am just peeky...I would always turn the page to make sure, that THAT was the start( I am a slow learner).
It is sort of a good-feeling type of book. The buddha's teachings are so universally friendl...more
It is sort of a good-feeling type of book. The buddha's teachings are so universally friendl...more
This is the first book I finished reading after my precious Ella was born. It has touched me deeply in many ways and spoken the words I had struggled to find by myself about the torrent of new and unfamiliar feelings after becoming a mother.
The author bases her chapters roughly on the Noble Eight-fold Path of Buddhism. She talks about how practices such as mindfulness, meditation, compassion and remembering the ever-changing nature of the world can help mothers achieve a calm and loving mindset...more
The author bases her chapters roughly on the Noble Eight-fold Path of Buddhism. She talks about how practices such as mindfulness, meditation, compassion and remembering the ever-changing nature of the world can help mothers achieve a calm and loving mindset...more
I started this book while I was pregnant, to give some framework for parenting since I have no background in this adventure. I didn't get around to finishing it until about three weeks into things. It was a good book: pretty basic in the Buddhism, and pretty common sense in the compassion and mindfulness recommendations for parents. Though it there weren't any big surprises, it struck me as a book that might be useful to over time, helping me to re-center during different phases of the little on...more
I am loving this book so much, it has so much to teach me, I am only about half-way through and I can't wait to start reading it over again! I know my children will greatly benefit having a calmer mama...just lil' gems of knowledge I've learned already amaze me, "my thoughts are just my thoughts, they are not reality" and that by suffering, we learn, and as a mama, I don't want my children to suffer, but sometimes, trying to make them avoid suffering will cause them, and me, more pain than just...more
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This book has transformed my thinking and entire approach to parenting and given me a renewed outlook on life, the important things in life. Like all good books, it's yanked me back into a space that makes me question all my values, way of thinking, all the things I thought I knew. Words that ring loud from reading this book...impermanence, humility, kindness, mortality, fierce love for my children, peace, practice, mindfulness in words and actions, gratitude, nurturing, challenges of motherhood...more
While I enjoyed this book it just wasn't quite what I was looking for. I guess I expected something a bit less repetitive in the "be mindful" department. Every example seemed to be about meditation and taking a moment to think before you act. To live as a zen buddhist. I didn't feel that it hit on the subject of motherhood (though the examples pertained to it) and struggles as much as it could have.
Still, it was a nice read and I enjoyed the recaps of what the authors main point and focus was a...more
Still, it was a nice read and I enjoyed the recaps of what the authors main point and focus was a...more
This is one of a very few parenting books I have encountered that focuses not on how to raise children properly but on the mother herself. It confronts the very real concerns and struggles (one might say sufferings) of motherhood without being preoccupied by them.
I am a Christian, so I approached this book looking to take what truth I could and to apply its operation in a Christian context. As the Buddha himself is quoted as saying, "Try something that I have discovered, and then judge it for y...more
I am a Christian, so I approached this book looking to take what truth I could and to apply its operation in a Christian context. As the Buddha himself is quoted as saying, "Try something that I have discovered, and then judge it for y...more
I came across this book at the right time, and reading it at a leisurely pace has been very very useful for me. It has reconnected me with meditation and with many things I already knew but haven't thought about and/or done for years.
Practical, short, and easy to read, this book fits well into the bits of time many parents can find for reading. My main gripe is that it's SO gendered, from the title (why not Buddhism for Parents? do children not need calm fathers? do men who are primary caregiver...more
Practical, short, and easy to read, this book fits well into the bits of time many parents can find for reading. My main gripe is that it's SO gendered, from the title (why not Buddhism for Parents? do children not need calm fathers? do men who are primary caregiver...more
I think I've read this book twice, and I could easily read it again. It's simply awesome! For one, it's the first parenting book that I've read that really focuses on the needs of the parent (all of us moms) and gives reassurance for all those thoughts, worries, and feelings that pop up without invitation. Honestly, I think reading this has made me a much better mother, more calm and more realistic in my expectations of my children, husband, and life.
People who know me would probably laugh at the combination of me and Buddhism, but I could really use a calm approach to parenting. What I loved most about this book was the way the author acknowledged the difficulties moms encounter everyday. So many books run down mothers in the course of providing advice. I also liked the way the author presented some of the Buddhist ideas, especially the concept of meditation providing space.
make me calmer, Buddha awakened one, way out of suffering and unhappiness, noble truths is suffering via attachment can end with path thru suffering, to others with love, the whole world is medicine, evils of body mind and tongue murder theft adultery lie fault finding curse gossip hatred covet skepticism, to unattachment non control, distractions, ill will and doubt, wisdom and compassion, know self.
Dec 20, 2007
Lisa
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone seeking some calm along the journey of motherhood
Most of this book would be appropriate and welcoming insights for mothers of any religion. I am not Buddhist and yet I found sentence after sentence jumping off the page with practical advice that I can use to be more calm, more mindful, and to make my days more meaningful. The wisdom and thoughtfulness contained within this book is priceless and was so comforting to read on those rough days that we, as mothers, invariably have as. Trying to negotiate the speed bumps of parenting is hard and so...more
i'm not buddhist, but there are many aspects of this religion and mindset that appeal to me. i found a variety of thoughts and attitudes towards parenting, as well as ways to reflect on myself as a parent that i really liked throughout the book... i'm hoping to add a few quotes from the book into my review for future reference before returning to the library.
Loved the first few chapters which were an exploration of how we think about parenting! I mean, super helpful. Changed my outlook during a very difficult week. But the last half of the book is about how to become Buddhist, which I do not intend to do so only half the content was useful to me. Still the chapter on becoming a mindful parent was priceless.
An absolutely lovely book! I read this while I was still pregnant and hope to read it over and over throughout my daughter's childhood. It basically epitomizes the entire approach I wish to take as a parent - nuturing, loving, and calm. Napthali's tone is beautiful and the way she explains the nexus between Buddhism and mothering is enlightening.
This book has so many highlights in it, I need to just re-read the entire thing. Napthali's writing style is so accessible to me -- she was able to explain concepts in such a way that I not only felt I understood them, I wanted to dive in deeper. Fortunately, she includes appendices with helpful books and websites so I can do just that.
Although I'm not a buddhist, becoming a calmer & happier mother is something that appeals to me during this stressful time of having a new baby. This book had a lot of great tips and practical information that anyone could use. Other than the obvious parenting information, it also had some thoughtful information about relationships/marriage. While there were some parts of the book that I couldn't really relate to, overall I found the book to be helpful and a good read.
A friend gave me this book just before our baby arrived. It's a pretty good proactive read given that it's taken with a grain of salt. But nothing prepares you more for motherhood than simply just diving in and learning through every moment. Daily gratitude seems to be the way for me!
A very clear, conversational style is used to impart some Buddhist concepts & practices into the day-to-day of motherhood.
Really very helpful in pointing out areas where we cling to "should" in a way that can be crippling to our own & our children's sense of balance.
Really very helpful in pointing out areas where we cling to "should" in a way that can be crippling to our own & our children's sense of balance.
It is a good introduction and I felt much calmer and more centered when I was reading this book. It is not preachy and gives ideas to take and some to leave. I found it very helpful. I wish that I could keep up with all of the ideas and become more calm.
So much great stuff in this book. I like reading something uplifting right away in the morning so I spent a long time reading snippets out of this book each morning and it really was insightful and a positive way to start my day. Great book.
I read this long before I had children. I liked being able to read about Buddhism in practice, in context. Easy to read, funny, quite enjoyable really. I think that I should read it a few more times now that I have kids!
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Sarah Napthali is a mother of two young boys who tries to apply Buddhist teachings in her daily life. Her working life has ranged from teaching English as a Second Language and corporate training, to human rights activism and interpreting. Since becoming a mother she has focussed on writing, initially for companies and later for individuals wanting to record their memoirs. With seven memoirs compl...more
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“The whole world is medicine'. We can learn from everything that happens to us.”
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“Refusing to rate what we perceive helps us to cultivate feelings of acceptance rather than judgement, as we stop demanding that life be other than it is.”
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