Mama Mantras

“The days are long, but the years are short.” Someone said this to me shortly after my daughter was born while I was buried in the trenches of newborn-land. It has deeply resonated with me and I find myself repeating it on a daily basis, even 2.5 years later. It is a good reminder that time passes and what we struggle with in the moment, is not what we struggle with the next day, month, or year.

In fact, there are several Mama mantras that come to mind that have saved me on more than 1 occasion. I’ve compiled a list of my favorites in the hopes that these, too, will come in handy for other Mamas out there. Because, let’s face it- Momming is hard, but you are stronger!
 
“Just breathe”
So simple and yet so powerful. Inhale deeply, exhale fully. Slowly, evenly, with love and intention. Breathe with peace and presence, for yourself and your family. Make every breath count- for every interaction, every tantrum, every conversation and every moment in between. Another invaluable lesson learned from practicing yoga. Just like yoga, breath work is also a practice, so stick with it (even when it seems impossible).
 
“This too shall pass” This one reminds me of my gymnastics coach growing up- she was always reciting this to us. The only constant in life is change. Trust in change. Children’s emotions are intense and fleeting. One moment, they are spilling their guts out making you think if they can just have that 1 toy, then all that’s wrong in the world will magically be fixed. 5 minutes later, they are onto something else…just know it is temporary and change is just around the corner. {Also, “After the storm, there is a rainbow”}
 
“They are not their tantrums” This one came to me recently when my daughter threw her first tantrum in public. It was totally out of character for her and instead of trying to simmer her emotions; I was more concerned with letting everyone know that “this was so unlike her”. Our children are not their tantrums. The tantrum is anger, sadness, frustration, etc. that their little bodies are struggling to control. The next time your child throws a fit, ask yourself, “Can I see my sweet smiling child through the tantrum? Can I reach out to him/her, and not react to the surface emotions?”
 
“I will trust my instincts” Hindsight is 20/20. And I know that I’ve had my “I wish I could go back and do that over” moments as a mother. We were given that motherly instinct for a reason, and too often we ignore it because we fear what will happen. But mothers truly do know what’s best for their children, and we shouldn’t feel ashamed about it. I would do anything for my children. We’ve got to trust ourselves and not let the judgment or opinions of others influence our instincts.
 
“Be here now” Put the iPhone down, set aside the to-do list, leave social media alone, and leave EVERYTHING alone for a few moments. Your child is here, now. You are here, now. Give attention and get attention. Give love, get love. Calm it down, stop the rushing, feel your feet on the ground, let your spine lengthen and your shoulders soften. Look into the eyes of your child and see yourself looking back. We all want the same things and it's right here, right now. You are right where you
need to be, so be here now.
 
“Do what you can, let the rest go” This is my go to at the end of the day when I feel like I fell short of being the perfect Mom (or even a good Mom) that day. You can only do what you can do and nothing more. Stop dwelling. Stop beating yourself up. Let it go. {Also, “I give myself compassion in this moment"}
 
“I am enough” I think all of us mothers struggle sometimes with whether or not we’re making a positive impact on our children’s lives. We wonder if we’re giving them enough love. We hope we’re giving them enough attention. We want to know that we’re giving them enough direction, wisdom and healthy foods. But the truth is, at the end of the day, all our children need are us. We are enough. No matter how many mistakes we make as mothers everyday, the most important thing we can offer our children is ourselves. {Also, "I am Mama, hear me roar"}
 
“Love is almost always the answer” Next time your child is wearing you down and you feel yourself about to snap, try giving them a hug. This may help you both calm down enough and hit the “reset” button.
 
“What do I want her to remember?” This one weighs on my A LOT. She is only 2.5 years old, but what will she remember? Do I want my daughter to remember me yelling everytime I get frustrated? Do I want her to remember my phone between my face and hers? No, I don’t. This mama mantra brings me back to my values, helps me make better choices, and get more creative about how to get her needs and mine both met.

“Notice the good” A simple, wonderful reminder that there is ALWAYS a silver lining, always a sunny side and always a reason to smile. No matter how tough the situation, no matter how frustrated or deflated we feel, there are blessings here, too. Open up your awareness, connect to your heart and uncover those little glimmers of good.

“Gratitude, always” Instead of the self-pity and the sad stories on a challenging day, put this mantra to use and feel the shift. Gratitude is a game changer, for sure. Fill up with an appreciation for this life, for the gifts and for the giving. For these children. For the hard stuff too, for the opportunities to grow and to learn. Taking a moment to be thankful for it all. Knowing that nothing is lacking; you have everything you need.


Welp, there you have it...consider yourself saved (kind of- ha)! What are some other great Mama mantras out there?  What has helped you get through a difficult situation? Feel free to share in the comments below!


Meg