Mindful Mommy Monday: Perspective

Morning mommies!

Thank you everyone for your patience.  I owe you one (blog that is).  The eldest little hoot was home from school last week, I was preparing for an art show this week, on top of the new hoot, Jewelry by Jane Doe, iFBSllc, and running a household - needless to say it was a busy week.  But made it and here we are.

Pictures from the show: Kessel Running with Stormtroopers: STAR WARS group artshow

This is my Jaba the Hut (close ups coming soon) & C3PO piece.

He was righteously trippy!

Baby Yoda by Me! <3

Now, before we get into this weeks blog, I have to say, I had a hard time figuring out what to write about this week.  This past week has really brought the importance of perspective to the forefront.  Everyone experiences each moment differently.  We're needing, wanting, thinking, seeing, and feeling different things.  Even if we're sitting together, living the same moment.  So easily we forget to look through the eyes of our partners and little ones.  As mommies, we're constantly thinking about the main goal (get everyone out of the house on time, get dinner made and everyone fed, make sure we are ready at bed time, etc) and sometimes really SEEING each moment misses us.

When we don't attempt to experience moments as our loved ones do we mistake the cry for comfort as pestering, the helping hand as a correction or reprimand, and so on.  Children will always tell us what they need, as adults we often miss the message.  When the eldest hoot is very exhausted he gets rambunctious and disorderly.  This can easily (as has been before) be mistaken as simple bad behavior and disrespect.  After noticing WHY he was behaving the way he was behaving it became easier to accept him and we were better able to handle him.  Absolutely no harm can come from seeing things from your child's perspective.  Are they tired, hungry, needing a little extra love, feeling overwhelmed, or bored?

A story I heard while researching "Mindful Parenting" was a PRIME example on how damaging it can be to never change your perspective.  The woman was 45 years old.  When she was 10 her father was an FBI agent.  He came home one night after having confiscated a large bag of money from some case.  He put the money in the oven "for safe keeping" and went to bed.  Well, she woke up and wanted to warm pizza.  So, naturally, she put the oven on preheat.  Ten minutes later smoke was taking over the house.  Her father came down stairs screaming at the top of his lunges and tearing her down.  "Why would you do that!?"  "You've ruined my case!"  "That money was very important and you've destroyed it!"  She was terrified.  She had no idea why he was yelling at her.  All she had done was preheat the oven, right?  She was allowed to do that.  Why wasn't he yelling at himself, he put the money in the oven.  Can  you just imagine that things going through her head?!  From that moment on she became very frigid in the kitchen.  She never cooked in that kitchen again and still never learned to really COOK.  She says that she "cooks to survive and barely ever uses the oven."  Her fathers failure to see how she was experiencing that moment created a disconnect that they never recovered.  He never apologized (he probably felt he had done nothing wrong).  Is he a bad parent?  No.  Should he have been more mindful of the things he was saying to his daughter and why?  Yes.

Recently Daddy Hoot and I had a chat about perspective.  I have a bad habit of placing myself in front of a moving train, in more or less words.  Lol.  When I see her temper rising (or assume that it's about to) with Hoot 1 I quickly hop in the middle.  I usually do it by saying something to her, getting up and separating him from the situation, or voicing an easier way to get through this.  I always thought I was helping.  I also always thought she'd know that I was just trying to help.  *SMH*  Tsk. Tsk Tsk.  ASS.U.ME <---- Lol.  Our talk revealed to me, what was really going on.  She voiced that it made her feel like I was reprimanding her parenting or pushing her to the side to parent on my own.  Of course NONE OF THAT IS MY INTENT.  I couldn't believe I hadn't seen the signs for those thoughts.  Maybe I did, but I felt like she should understand and work with me.  Wrong, we BOTH have to see what intentions are understand each other.  This only creates a more cohesive team and more confident parents.  Sharing your partners perspective is just as crucial as sharing your child's.

Now that I've effectively drilled the importance of perspective (speak it into existence lol) into your minds, onto old business.

The Mommy Challenge: How have you guys been doing?  Have you seen any changes in your little ones?  Family interactions?  Partners demeanor?  YOU? :-) Honestly, I've been hap hazardly staying mindful of the challenge this week (see 1st paragraph).  Week 1 was relatively  easy, since it was Thanksgiving.  But with everything going on, slowing down wasn't easy.  I managed to do a few things like read to him more, watch a movie he picked, and a few other things.

Our current book: Everyday Blessings: The Inner Workings of Mindful Parenting - It is, if nothing else, an inspiring read.  The moments that I spend reading that book allow me to keep the progress I am attempting steady.  It recalls my mind to work and forces me to practice.  The book gives you such a clear and beautiful look into parenting and into yourself.  You cannot become a better parent without becoming a better person, it's simply not possible.  Parenting will change you.  Since the book is a ... healthy read, to say the least.  It's taking me some time to finish.  So my goal is to be done reading it by Christmas.  I've picked up so many books in the last few weeks, I have no idea what'll be next.  Lol.

New business!  Check out my YouTube Channel for a coordinating Vlog. <3 I don't know when the idea finally said "Just do it."  But there it is.  Enjoy.  Comment.  Let me know what kinds of things you want to hear about.  I'm here to support all mommies!

Mommy Challenge: Week 3 

(click ^^ for the original blog host)

Could you imagine trying to accomplish something that is absolutely impossible??  That feeling of overwhelming anxiety. :-( Do we really want that for our little ones?

This challenge ties in perfectly to our blog post this week!  We have to make sure we're providing our children with the tools they need to reach the different levels of development successfully.  We have to be mindful of what we expect from them and what they are trying to do.  By giving you child the right amount of responsibility and supervision, you encourage him/her to try new things and never be afraid to experiment.  The perfect combination will keep them from feeling over powered or overwhelmed by new challenges.  When you feel your frustration rise, ask yourself "Have I shown and given my child the tools to make it through this?" "Am I expecting too much?" "What is he actually needing/doing right now?"  

We can do this mommies! <3 Through support and inspiration we're unstoppable! <3

Thank you so much for sticking with me and give my Vlog a peek on YouTube.

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About Mindful Mommy Monday Blogger

Dominique is an owner of In Focus Business Solutions, LLC, mother of two, wife, and student.  She is an experienced Customer Service Trainer and pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work.  Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.  For more information on iFBS, llc or to contact Dominique email her at: dominiquepap@gmail.com

Everything Mommy!

Hello all!  Welcome to Mindful Mommy Mondays! :-) Well, I thought it was pretty clever.  Here, I blog on all things mommy.  From the breastfeeding struggle to making it through temper tantrums!  I'm a mother of two little hoots (boys), a Virgo wife to an Aquarius, student, and (dare I say) budding artist ... not to mention I co-own two small businesses.  So, one huge topic will be (drum roll) BALANCE!

Like many women, especially mommies, the idea of balance is a continual work in progress.  To make sure that you don't give of yourself until there's nothing left to give yourself!  Being tipped out of balance can happen before we even notice it and sometimes it barely takes a slight breeze.  Signing your kid up for 1 too many activities, letting the laundry back up just a little bit, entertaining friends one night too many this week, or even fulfilling one too many duties in one day (breakfast, laundry, cleaning, lunch, love, errands, dinner, bed time story, etc).  The list could go on.  When I started to feel drained and "zombie" like I went looking for ways to help.

The MOST HELPFUL information I found was  a blog Mommy Foot Print.  It was so on the nail I can't even describe it. :-)  Personally, numbers 2, 3, 7, & 9 work great for me!  Once you get into the groove you can't turn back (although there may be some off days).  She describes clearly the different methods toward finding balance and how they help.  However you find your balance ... work on it CONSTANTLY.  A woman's balance is essential to her success and the success of the people she cares for.  As mothers women, we're expected to accommodate  support, love, cook, clean, sing, read stories, play tickle monster, be the vixen, manage finances, scare the boogy monster, and look FANTASTIC doing it.  There's no way we'll be able to take care of the people we love if we can't even take care of ourselves.

Be mindful mommies.  Move with purpose.  And never forget to take a moment for yourself.  

Your family will be as happy as you are!  

My intent is to report on at least two parenting (more-so "mindful parenting") books a month.  If anyone picks one (or all) to read please comment with your experience.  This weeks book: Everyday Blessings: The Inner Working of Mindful Parenting.

<3 Until next Monday (just in case folks forgot to say it) ... I LOVE YOU!

- Dominique Papillion

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About Mindful Mommy Monday Blogger

Dominique is an owner of In Focus Business Solutions, LLC, mother of two, wife, and student.  She is an experienced Customer Service Trainer and pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work.  Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.  For more information on iFBS, llc or to contact Dominique email her at: dominiquepap@gmail.com

Postnatal Yoga

Giving birth is the most challenging part in a woman’s life. It is very crucial to be strong both physically and mentally after pregnancy (especially first six months), to meet the requirements of the newly born.

Why Postnatal Yoga?

• Practicing yoga will give you the required support in the stage of changing responsibilities.
• Yoga in an ancient art that helps new mothers to stay fit, feel confident and increases stamina.
• It also makes them feel the lightness in every level of there being, that is, it makes them feel light physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
• However, diet plays a major role in the well being of the newly born and the mother.

Postnatal Yoga Practices

Normal exercises include:

• Reverse breathing for pelvic floor
• Alternate nostril breathing to calm the mind
• Legs up the wall pose to relieve from fatigue
• Supta Badakonasana
• a wonderful restorative pose as well as a gentle hip and heart-opening pose.  Lie on your back with the bottom of the feet together and knees open out to the side.  You can use blankets or pillows under your knees for support and to reduce any strain you may be feeling on the hips in this pose. Hold for 5-10 minutes to rest and, most importantly, relax!
• Warrior II pose for endurance:
• Strengthening and heat building pose that will fire up your core! Stand sideways on your yoga mat with your feet as wide as your arms can reach.  Point your foot forward and bend the knee over your ankle while reaching your arms out to the side and in line with your shoulders, keeping torso aligned over hips. Hold for 10 breaths on each side.
• Eagle pose for aching shoulders and neck
• A balancing pose that works to help you strengthen your core while opening your hips and shoulders.  Stand with your feet parallel– bend your knees– lift your right leg and wrap it around your left either hooking your toes behind your left calf or to the outside of your left ankle – simultaneously reach your arms out to the side and wrap your right arm under your left bringing your hands to touch.  Hold for 10,  breathe and repeat on other side.
• Some of the most popular yoga poses for new mothers are:
Spinal rolling Child Pose Leg lifts Cobra pose Plow pose Butterfly pose Locust pose Supporting Bridge pose Corpse pose
• Based on the requirements and complexity after the delivery, there are many other poses that can be practiced.
• Practicing some of these poses may cause few side effects, so they must be suggested individually by a yoga certified instructor.

Pranayama

• It is a very good exercise to increase oxygen levels in your body, there by increasing the blood flow.
• It calms the mind and makes the new mothers hyper active.
• Practicing pranayama for five minutes twice a day will show good results.

Caution: Do not practice kapalabhati pranayam, as it can hurt the abdominal area of the new mom

A bit about our Author, Camille Brown: Hi there and welcome to my segment, The Daily Om. I'm a twenty-something lover of health, fitness, yoga, personal style, reiki, nature, travelling, and capturing those special moments in life that matter the most. My daily goal is to be the best I can, give all I know about yoga, holistic living, and just living your most authentic natural life. I will offer challenging asanas that will push your personal limits in order to achieve success on the mat and offer insight mantras to get your day started your day on a positive note. Remember, "A day without laughing is a day wasted."
Read more from her at www.cammieyogaom.blogspot.com

Prenatal Yoga

The Basics of Prenatal Yoga

Before I start my “Find your Flow” posts, I think I should give a brief introduction to prenatal yoga.

We busy modern humans spend so much time running around and doing things for other people that it’s hard to get a chance to put the focus on ourselves on a regular basis, even when others tell us to! This constant rush of activity puts stress on our body and emotions, which can cause problems at any time, but is especially an issue during pregnancy. Stress and overactivity distracts us from the beauty of life, and finding true happiness and inner peace.

Yoga works in many ways to relieve our bodies and minds of the impacts of stress, and bring focus back inward to cultivate patience, compassion, and focus itself. When do you need those traits more than pregnancy and parenthood? If you have answers to that, those are just more reasons to do yoga.

What is Prenatal Yoga?

Prenatal Yoga is specially formulated to cater to the needs of a woman’s body when she is undergoing the biggest transformation of her life; pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga is a tender and sensitive form of yoga for all those mothers-to-be!
Prenatal Yoga helps strengthen the muscles and joints during pregnancy (muscles and joints become more vulnerable to damage during pregnancy) amongst many other health benefits.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do: trust your instincts. If something feels bad, stop, and if something feels really good, do it more!
• Don’t: use inversion poses (bending upside down, or legs above the head) because they encourage blood flow away from the uterus, which is bad. 
• Do: stay RELAXED. Don’t stress too much about getting the pose right, we’re trying to de-stress here.
• Don’t: Lie on your stomach or your back.
• Don’t: use overly strenuous twist or backbend poses especially later in pregnancy because they cause pressure in the abdomen.

Just Remember…

• Poses can be easily modified to suit any body condition, also with the help of props.
• Yoga is a fantastic exercise but it should also be paired with a non-rigorous cardio activity such as walking.
• Pay attention to breath; an important part of yoga is the sync between breath and movement.

I’m sure there will be plenty more to learn in later posts. These are just the basics. Good luck!

A bit about our Author, Camille Brown: Hi there and welcome to my segment, The Daily Om. I'm a twenty-something lover of health, fitness, yoga, personal style, reiki, nature, travelling, and capturing those special moments in life that matter the most. My daily goal is to be the best I can, give all I know about yoga, holistic living, and just living your most authentic natural life. I will offer challenging asanas that will push your personal limits in order to achieve success on the mat and offer insight mantras to get your day started your day on a positive note. Remember, "A day without laughing is a day wasted."
Read more from her at http://
www.cammieyogaom.blogspot.com

Mommy, Milk, and Child Development

So you heard it hurts, or that is is an inconvenience, but truth is, the pros of breast feeding outweigh the cons BY FAR. Most of what we have come to know about breast feeding is influenced by public opinion or bashed by those who are ignorant to it's benefits.


Lactose and Lactase

Milk sugar is called Lactose.  Lactose is broken down by Lactase which makes this balance essential for the development of the nervous system.

Human breast milk contains more lactose than cow's milk (which is used in formula) but also has an equivalent amount of lactase to break it down. With a good diet, breast milk can exclusively support the baby for 6 months.

Cow's Milk is much lower in lactase which leaves formula fed babies at a disadvantage because their livers do not yet have the capacity to make this enzyme.

50 to 60 million people in the United States are lactose intolerant due to lack of lactase in early developmental stages. More than half of these people are minorities, either African American, Asian American, Native American, and Hispanic origin.


The Mother-Child Connection: Pros & Cons

Prenatally and post birth, the baby's health is largely dependent on the mother's nourishment. Some even consider preconceptional nutrition - or the health of the mother up to a year before she becomes pregnant.

PROS:

• Breast Feeding is best for both Mommy and the baby.
• stimulates uterine contractions bringing the uterus back to normal size
• reduces bleeding
• the mother can pass protective antibodies to the child
• the calorie output to the child helps to bring weight back towards it's pre-pregnancy level while the child gets all needed nutrients such as iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, and the correct amino acids for growth
• Breast Milk is convenient. You carry it with you!
• SAVE MONEY!
• Studies show that breast fed babies are healthier than bottle babies.
• fewer allergies
• leaner
• lower cholesterol levels
• these qualities typically stay true into later years and adulthood
• The invention of milk pumping devices with storage has made breast feeding and option for working mothers

CONS & PRECAUTIONS:

• The mother must be healthy or any toxins will be passed to the child
• Stay away from alternatives. Soy formula is NOT better!
• Mothers MUST remember to eat well so they do not become nutritionally drained while nursing. Water is the main ingredient of breast milk so stay hydrated!

Why no Dairy? Why not formula?

Lifelong consumption of milk is a common mistake in nutrition. By adulthood we should have all kicked the habit - that is if we even started to begin with. If your children develop reoccurring congestive problems such as excessive snot and mucous and/or ear infections, I recommend eliminating all dairy products for a minimum of a month to see if symptom's cease. Keep a food diary for this!

Cow's milk is best avoided because it has a different amino acid balance which is suitable to calves, not humans. Cow milk also contains more fat and allergens.

Formulas - which are derived from cow's milk - are not recommended due to their unnatural, synthetic makeup.

How Long Should I Breast Feed?

Infants shouldn't have their first meal before 6 months.
A healthy mommy can nourish her baby that entire time on breast milk alone. Waiting  6 months gives the baby time to develop their digestive tract and immune system to reduce chances of allergy and mal food reactions. Premature feeding leads to poor digestion, allergies, immune problems, and obesity.

A child's first food should be simple, natural, preferably organic, and pureed. Imagine coming off of a liquid fast - you can't rush right into solids! Make your own baby foods with a blender and bottle in recycled baby food jars or glass jars! These are RAW baby foods!

Foods to puree':

• pears
• plums
• apples
• sweet potato/squashes
• ANY vegetables

Breast milk should STILL be a part of the diet at this time. Continue the pureed food and breast milk combo throughout month 7.

From 8 months to a year, babies become more hungry and adventurous with food.
Make sure you teach your child the vast amount of natural fruits and vegetables that inhabit this earth and let them know that mommy likes this food too! They will often want whatever it is you have. Use this outgoing attitude as a gateway to a well-rounded diet. Breast milk should still be a part of the diet at this time.

So when do they stop breast feeding already!?
Wane your baby off of breast milk when they are ready. Begin waning after a year.

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As women, we carry a big responsibility, for the world comes through us. Give the next generation a fair chance by beginning the mother-child bond properly! You are their first teacher, their first source of food, shelter, and nourishment. Together, we can change the world <3

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Brooke Johnson aka Brooke Jay is a Social Entrepreneur, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Wellness Coach, for RAW! on Wheels, a DMV based live vegetarian service.

RAW! offers Meal Plans, Juice Cleanses, Coaching, Catering, Care-giving, & more!  

 

http://www.RAWexclamation.com

Contact her directly at BJohnson@rawexclamation.com