36 Hours of Radical Self-Care: A Ritual

August 31, 2011 By 7 Comments
Two burning hearts

Every Sunday afternoon, I sit with a group of wonderful women to do the work of honoring each other’s lives, dreams, loves, and creations. We’re guided by womanspace founder Baraka Elihu and her book Birthing Ourselves into Being, which is a 12-month metaphorical experience of the birthing year. A lot of what I share here at Mamahhh.com is inspired by the experience I have in that wise woman circle. (And I will write more about women’s circles soon; I truly can’t imagine my life without that support!) This month, the wise woman “homework” was to enact a ritual that honors a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Before and After, Bodymind Bliss, Parenting, Self-care Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A Good Night’s Sleep

August 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
Young woman relaxing in bed

School started last week, and the universe has served me up a very clear message: Stop working all evening long, and get more sleep. So along with my kids, I’ve got some lessons to learn. I’m wising up by apprenticing with sleep and a new way of working. I’m getting really clear about how the two—not enough sleep and unproductive work—intertwine. When I don’t get enough sleep, I’m less focused and I draaaaggg throughout the day. My work pace slows, and my writing spills into the eveninghours. Then I’m up late playing catch-up, and the beat goes on. That brings on two … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bodymind Bliss, Self-care Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Big News: How did you announce your pregnancy?

August 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
mamahhh_0808_PregoReveal-Lucy

Last week, I found out that one of my former prenatal yoga students, Buffy, will soon be back on the mat: She and her husband are expecting their second little one. Her reveal was pretty spectacular, I thought. She broke the news to her friends on Facebook by sharing a video that captured the moment when she tells her mother she's pregnant again. The video of her mom is the sweetest thing, and it had me all teared up. Here's how Buffy broke the news to her mom: I love when her mom says, “No wonder you look so beautiful!” What a great mom! What a great gift from her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Before and After, Pregnancy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

World Breastfeeding Week: Encouragement for New Nursing Mamas

August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
mamahhh_2011-0805b-breastfeeding

At last night’s prenatal yoga class, I asked the moms whether they planned to nurse. All hands flew up without hesitation. When I asked how many had a plan for nursing successfully, only one hand went up. Sure, some babies latch right on and the nursing relationship is bliss from the get-go, but that seems to be the exception! Attending a breastfeeding class while pregnant is a good start to a great breastfeeding experience.  Arranging a visit with a good lactation consultant right after birth—and then again as often as needed—is also smart. As World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Help Set a Breastfeeding World Record!

August 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mamahhh_2011-0804_WBW-MilkTruck

World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 – 7, is still going strong! It’s awesome to see a positive celebration of such an important and sometimes challenging part of the mama-baby experience! Two new things to note this week: This Saturday at 10:30am (your local time), nursing mamas can help set a world record for the most mamas breastfeeding at once. Get the deets about the Big Latch On in my article at iVillage! Not too long ago, I also wrote about the MilkTruck over at iVillage. As follow-up note to “Hey, Anti-Breastfeeding Meanies: Shape Up or We'll Call the Milk Truck!” – … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding Tagged With: , , ,