Title: Breathe Mama Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms
Author: Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW
Basic Overview:
If you want to have more peace in your day, feel present in your life, and develop deeper connections with your family and those around you, this book is for you. Author Shonda Moralis teaches not only why mindfulness meditation is important, but how to accomplish it and make it a part of your everyday routine.
I recently asked several moms what they think of when they hear the words “meditation” and “mindfulness.” Meditation, they said, is napping, breathing, taking the time to think of nothing, and/or sitting somewhere quiet. Mindfulness, they responded, is hard to achieve and find, important, being present in your moment, and/or being conscientious and considerate.
Moralis says, “Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with purpose and without judgment…mindfulness meditation is just one type of meditation among many” (p. 8).
Throughout the book she presents over 60 “mindful breaks” that can help moms be present. She uses the course of a day to divide each section and includes a mindfulness log and notes pages at the back. This book takes the somewhat overwhelming task of beginning a mindfulness meditation practice and makes it accessible and enjoyable for all.
Parts I Liked Best:
Mindfulness is not something that comes easily for me, and while I have practiced meditation before, I always feel like I am fighting it. By taking “mindful breaks,” not only have I had more opportunities to practice throughout the day, but I have also found myself missing those moments when I skip them.
One specific theme I pulled from the book is to let go of perfection and control. Towards the beginning of the book, Moralis shares a message for mothers, but it can be applied to anyone and to any facet of our lives. She says:
“When we are honest and authentic in our conversations with other moms, we invite them to speak openly about their struggles thereby offering one another support and empathy. We are more free to champion one another rather than compare and judge. The more accurately we view the facade of perfect motherhood, the less pressure we put on ourselves to achieve what is obtainable only at great cost to ourselves and our families” (p. 10).
In this fast-paced, social-media-filled world, it can be easy for moms, myself included, to feel like there is a certain level or expectation of motherhood perfection they need to achieve. This lie not only hurts us and our families, but as Moralis says, it limits our abilities to reach out and help those around us.
Being in control of life one hundred percent of the time simply is not possible, no matter how hard we try. Kids get sick, plans get cancelled, job layoffs happen, etc. While the unknown can be a scary place, being mindful and present allows a person to achieve a sense of calm in the storm.
Towards the end of the book, the author shares a story of when she was pregnant and had a series of complications that landed her in the hospital for surgery. She relates, “The ability to calm myself with my breath and notice when the what-ifs were taking up residence in my mind helped to ease the discomfort. It did not eliminate the trials I faced, but offered me a place to rest my attention for a short while” (p. 143).
I recently put this mindfulness break into practice during my Milton Dentist visit and found that it really does work. I wasn’t happy to be there by any means, but I was able to relax and ease my discomfort considerably.
How This Book Made an Impact in My Life:
This book has taught me that mindfulness is not just something we practice once a day and then move on. It is a practice we can use at any time and in any place to reset our thoughts, calm our mind, and bring ourselves back to the present. Not only has this practice helped me as a mother, but I have begun teaching it to my children. There are examples throughout the book that include family participation, such as the “Three-Breath Hug,” but many of the mindfulness breaks can be adapted in some way for younger children.
My focus has been changed as I experience the happy chaos that is everyday family life, and I now “See how one small mindful break can potentially transform an ordinary moment into one that feels remarkable” (p.130).
One lucky mother will receive their own copy of Breathe Mama Breathe! Leave a comment by the end of Friday, March 24th to enter. Winners will be notified by email.
QUESTION: Do you currently schedule time for meditation or mindfulness? Can you think of times during the day when this would be helpful?
CHALLENGE: Through this book or other resources, learn more about meditation and mindfulness and how you can apply it in your life.
Power of Moms is an Amazon Affiliate. We only promote books we love, and any purchases through our link will help support Power of Moms. Thanks!
Edited by Aubrey Degn and Sarah Monson.
Thanks for the great review, Mary. So glad you found Breathe, Mama, Breathe helpful and practical!
Thank you Shonda!
Great title! I often find myself holding my breath. Love the concept of three-breath hug and want to learn more!
Thanks for sharing – sounds like a great book!
This really sounds like a great book. I’m so guilty of not taking that extra time to myself. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh I need to figure out a simple way to work mindfulness into my day especially as the mother of two. I’ve spent so many years focused on my children that I’ve lost the ability to care for myself.
With 2 boys under 7 years old and working fulltime, I need to incorporate some mindfulness into my life. Sometimes I feel I am just stating “go, go, go” and need to “chill” sometimes. Would love to read more and see how I can life my life better and impact theirs in a better way!
This sounds like just what I need!
This book is for me!! I’m a full-time working mom (I’m lucky – my office is in my home) with a 5-year-old and 9-month-old. My days (including weekends) are so packed that I’m ALWAYS thinking about the next thing I need to get done – I’m NEVER present for my children, husband or self. Life is zooming by … it’s time to be mindful and appreciate this beautiful life I have!!
Oh, I totally agree! When I get home from work I have one goal – get everything done as quick as I can so that I can get to bed at a reasonable time. Everything just flies by.
I know I need to take more time. Thanks for sharing!
I felt in love about this book because I can totally resonate with feeling guilty and anxious. Being a mother and taking care of house and family sometimes goes on survive mode. I would love to read and study this book in order to learn living the present. Cheers from Brazil!
This is just the review I’ve been wanting to see! I’ve been thinking about mindful meditation for a couple months, but didn’t know what resource to turn to. I’m definitely checking this out from the library. So glad it’s geared towards moms. Thanks for the review!
I need this book! I recently quit my full-time job to stay a home with my 2 year old son. When I was working I had a routine, but now that I am staying home I find it so challenging to find those pockets of time to re-charge during the day, so the tension just builds. I want to present with my son, instead of just distracting myself with my phone when I get overwhelmed. I do try to find times to meditate, but I need something in the moment, and I want to model that for my son. Thank you!
I’ve been meditating for a few months now and trying to incorporate mindfulness in throughout my day. It has completely changed my life and way of thinking.
This book sounds like it is exactly what I need at this stage. Four kids (7 and under), a hubby working nights, baby’s sitting twin two year olds, and a baby who has hives (for multiple weeks). Definitely need to do what the title says. 🙂
This is something I need to work on!
In a world that demands motherhood perfection it is wonderful to find a resource that builds up mothers; that encourages honesty and understanding and, that offers solutions to the emotional minefield that is motherhood. This book could be a blessing and I have the perfect spot for it for easy reference:)
I love the idea of this!!! A book with some guidance would be perfect for me!
The sounds like a wonderful opportunity to find a way to incorporate mindfulness in various ways throughout the day and not be too formal about it but yet very intentional. I started doing meditation a while back and found it to be amazingly helpful to me. I fell off the wagon and I’m having trouble getting back on again…
This book sounds like where I am at right now. Between trying to keep up with a nonstop 17 month old, all the questions from my ever curious four year, the o do list and more…to find s a few minutes here and there to meditate, to be mindful throughout the day would go a long way in restoring so much. I just don’t know where to begin. This book would help me get there and beyond that, help me to teach the ideas to my kiddos too.
I’d love to read this book!
Oh I could use this! Working mom, with a DH who works twice as many hours as I do. Knowing I don’t get a do-over on parenthood, I need to continue to do better in bringing prayer and mindfulness into moments of my day.
I need this in my life!
Sounds so encouraging!
Sounds like a great read!
I am so guilty of neglecting mindfulness and being present. This sounds like a great book and a totallly doable approach for busy moms!
I cannot WAIT to read this. I love meditation and find it helps me in all aspects of life to just calm down, focus, and BREATHE!!
I’d love to read this book. I’m starting to meditate daily, but most of the time only get to do it at night. I need to make it a priority and start my day with mindful moment first.
I would love this book! I used to practice mindfulness but haven’t in a while. I love the part about letting go of perfection so we can be a strength to other mothers and listen to their trials without judgement- I wish all moms could implement that!
So glad to hear of a book reminding us to breathe! With baby number 5 on the way I would love to learn ways to keep peace and be present in the day to day of mothering!
I so need this in my life! Sounds like just what my family needs in our crazy busy lives!
Sounds like a book I need and a practice I need to incorporate in my daily life. I only find I meditate and am mindful once a week of I’m lucky enough to find the time to attend my favorite yoga class. I need to do it more often.
New mom with twins and I find it really hard to find 10 mins of me time when there is so much to do. This sounds like a great read! ?
I would love to read it – some groundness and connectedness to myself and family in a more present and positive way will be a great asset to our entire family
Sounds like something I need to read!! Definitely adding to my list. My little t-shirt company (becomingthreads.com) just recently released a “breathe” sweatshirt. I need to wear it everyday while reading this book! Thanks for the great review ?
I soooo need this book!!
Single Mom here dreaming of how nice it would be to have a book like this to help me be present in life and develop a deeper connection with my son. I’m loving the idea of it being on a time budget! 🙂
This was a wonderful review. After reading it, I believe this book is a must read for me. I struggle with feeling anxiety and sometimes feel short of breath because of the ups and downs of life in general and especially the ups and downs of every day. I have four kids and my two older boys are very good at aggravating their 5 year old brother. And it goes both ways. My 5 year old yells and screams a lot (and my tension goes through the roof every time). I loved reading in the review that there are meditation methods I can teach and use with him and my other kids too. I desperately need a dose of peace throughout my day.
I would love to read this book!
Yes, we need to take 5 minutes to breathe. Thank you for your work.
This book sounds like just what I need. I’ve been wanting to learn more about meditation for quite some time now. Thanks for sharing!
Meditation is definitely something I need in my life. I love all POM books and expect nothing less than wonderful for this book. Can’t wait to read!
Meditation entered my life about a year ago. It has helped me in so many ways, and now I’m working on intentionally bringing it to my mothering! I’m looking forward to this book!
When I do take time to some form of meditation, I am so thankful I took the time and my reward is worth it. I do let it fall off the radar more often than I do it. Getting some tips about how to fit it in more would be so helpful!
Thanks for the review. It sounds like a book I can use!
Sounds great! I’d love to read this book!!!
What a great idea for a book! I know I could use more mindfulness in my day.
I need this book so bad. Needing help in balancing my life and making motherhood enjoyable again
I am excited to get this book as well. I had a child 20 years and 3 days after my last child! In my 40’s, so not only I am working full time, have a 7 year old, a husband who is on the road more than home and have menopause issues….so boy could I benefit from finding more peace….even 5 minutes at a time! Thanks for sharing, so I know what direction to go!
5 minutes of peace? Send it my way!
I would really love to learn how to meditate. I have heard that it is a very important ability to learn but have found myself even forgetting to breathe when I feel so overwhelmed. I am a single mother of 7 children and I love them and love the challenges they bring but find that I feel exhausted after having been at this for years.
This sounds like the book I have been waiting for! I would love to learn mindfulness meditation, but have always had trouble focusing. If I can learn to do it myself, I want to teach my children.
I just finished Priscilla Shirer’s study called “Breathe” and feel this book would be so relevant to implement some of those practices as well. Being a busy stay-at-home and work-from-home Mom, it’s hard to find time for myself.
Sounds like a great book!
I would love this book! To quote a line from John Lennon’s song “Beautiful Boy”– life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.
This book sounds like just what I need at this stage of life!
I need this book! I’ve been trying to schedule time for meditation and to be more mindful. I think waking up a few mins early to have some quiet meditation time and to center myself before starting the day would be so helpful for me.
This books sounds great. I have been trying to work meditation and mindfullness a part of my life and this is a great reminder.
It’s amazing how helpful a little mindfulness and breathing can change your day. Looks like a great read!
I work part time and when I get home, my husband leaves for work and I am home alone with my wonderful 8 year old triplets. I dread bedtime because it is hard to gain control of a chaotic time. I am tired and fried by the end of the day. I need some strategies to give me peace and patience especially during those hard times.
I can always use help with parenting!
This book sounds great – I could definitely benefit from intentional mindfulness throughout the day. I’m thinking of the most hectic times…getting ready for school, after school, and bedtime. I will be thinking about ways to be more mindful during those crazy times!
This sounds amazing! I love learning about mindfulness and having it tailored to me as a mom soumds amazing!
Even if I don’t win, that title is a great mantra for stressed out moms (like me)!
I am a mama of two, a girl age 7 and a boy age 5. I also teach first grade. Since I am rarely alone, I eat lunch by myself in my classroom. It is my 30 minutes of much needed solitude. A counselor once told me that I had the perfect time built in my day (lunch) to meditate. I often think about it, but have yet to put it to practice.
I have had “Lean meditation for me and my daughter” on my to do list for months now, and am nowhere closer to that goal. This book would be a huge step in achieving that goal and hopefully help me in many ways of my life. I would love to meditate in the morning before I leave my bedroom and face the day head on as a stay at home mom of 3 little kids.
I really need to meditate and be mindful. There are times when I’m running around and by the end of the day, I just want to go to sleep without a worry on my mind. Yet, I’m tossing and turning thinking of what I forgot to do or what needs to be done the next day. Sometimes I just need quiet time for me and I get that when I’m in the shower yet I hear the kids playing or fighting and can’t really be at peace in my mind. Although I know dad is watching them, I feel I should be there with them. Great article on your review of this book.
I don’t take time to be mindful, it’s something on my goal list to work on. Thanks for sharing!
A few months ago, I started using an app called Calm to do daily meditations and mindfulness training. It has really improved my sleep by letting me let go of the day and clear my head.
But I can’t always listen to the app during the day when I could use a little breather, so I’m interested in reading a book that offers ways to be more mindful during the day and in the moments when I am starting to really stress/freak out! Definitely adding this to my Goodreads!
This sounds like such a needful principle in my life. I have never connected with meditating before, though with the stress in my life with 6 kiddos, I really need to study up on it and begin practicing mindfulness in my life more.
Love this!
This book sounds like the perfect resource to help me incorporate some “me time” in my life with two kids and give me ideas to help me let go of having everything perfect and in control.
I love this title. A quote-able every mother needs in here mind. I find myself holding my breath way more than I should for a variety of reasons. I am so grateful for the review. I am intrigued by the three-breath hug and am anxious to read the other 59!
I totally support Shonda Moralis and her book. I only wish that when I was raising my children that I would have been made aware that these ideas would have helped me tremendously.
I have purchased several books for new mothers in our family.
If I would win this book, I would use it as a gift for another young mother.
My kudos to Shonda for sharing her knowledge to help others.
I don’t right now. I could probably schedule it right before or after my scripture study.
I’ve tried meditation in the past but didn’t stick with it. Now that I’m a mom, it’s a great time to try again. So many times in a day I need to remind myself to take a deep breath first lol.
I have been mediating more since the end of last summer but I would love to learn more about this from the perspective of motherhood. I know that it would help me deal with my children in a more positive way and help me feel less overwhelmed by the demands of life.
This sounds fabulous! By the comments that have been left, it would appear that all women regardless of the phase they are in could benefit from this book. 🙂
I have taken a few meditation classes and simply loved the way I felt afterward. They were in the evenings, sadly, so by the stressful morning time the effects had worn off. I love the idea of having simple ways to get grounded during the day!
Sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it! I could use this for sure!
Thanks for the review! I need to read this!!
Been there. Done that. Mother of 3 beautiful young women ages 30, 25, and 20 now, and Grandma to a 1 year old little guy who has stolen my heart. Wish I had read more things like this when I was raising my girls.
Perfect timing in seeing this! I just started to try meditation but am very overwhelmed with how to go about it and am looking for help! I’m a mom of 2 busy lil boys and I also fight a chronic illness so I struggle to find any balance in life and an always looking for ways to help be a better mom!
Thanks for your review. Always looking for ways to focus and be in the moment. Sounds like it would be so helpful!
The topic of mindfulness intrigues me. I would love to read this book!
Looks great! I can’t wait to read it! Part of my job is to help people with stress reduction tools. I’m sure this book will be a great resource for me to share!
Sounds like a great book and something that could definitely help me keep it together!
Sounds like a great book. I often need to stop and focus on the present.
sounds like a great book!
I could be o better at this. Yesterday I was looking into my daughter’s eyes while she was eating a snack and just Satan’s watched her. I think moments like that are mindfulness in disguise. I would love to learn more.
As a mom of a very active 3 year old and a newborn, 5 minutes may be all I have per day to myself. This sounds like the perfect book for me
It really hit home when I read in the review about getting your mind off the “what if” track. I am stuck on that track way more than I should be. Finding a way to combat that would be life changing. I’ve wanted to try meditation but haven’t known where to start so this sounds perfect!
Definitely something I am interested in incorporating into my life!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Sounds interesting. I need something ?
I’d love to read this book!
I often find that if I can just get up and have some alone time before waking the kids my day seems to be much better. Sometimes it’s laundry or tiding that I didn’t get done the night before but it sounds like this book is something that I could use to really centre myself. It sounds like it has some helpful hints for when the kids are driving me crazy and I need a time out myself before I explode (which won’t be helpful either). Thank you for writing this book… I look forward to reading it and finding a way to implement it in my crazy life☺️
Would really like to read this. I’m striving right now to be a more positive & happy Mom.
Mindfulness is a topic that is on my mind a lot lately, ironically the act in-and-of-itself is not so easy for me. This book sounds like a worthwhile read!
Wow this sounds great and someth8ng I could certainly use in my busy,hectic life. I am probably like other mothers who never take time for ourselves. If I won this book then I would make it my priority to take 5 minutes per day to improve my well being and my family’s. Thank you
Thank you for sharing. This sounds like a great way to learn mindfulness, something I would love to learn more about.
I feel like this is just what I need right now in my life! If I don’t win the book (which I hope I do!) I’ll be ordering myself a copy!
This sounds like something I need to add into my day!
This sounds like something I need to add into my day!
I am exhausted and getting more and more angry. Trying to deal with school system and IEP that continues to make my child more anxious and depressed.
I really need to Find a way to get over this Anger before it effects my health or my child – Negatively! Help me Please!