Buddhism for Mothers

By: Sarah Napthali

Narrated by: Rebecca Macauley

A completely accessible and practical guide to nurturing your child using simple Buddhist practices, become a calmer and happier mother with the best-selling book, Buddhism for Mothers. Buddhism for Mothers discusses Buddhist teachings as applied to the everyday challenges of bringing up children. Parenthood can be a time of great inner turmoil for a woman yet parenting books invariably focus on nurturing children rather than the mothers who struggle to raise them. This book is different. It is a book for mothers.

Buddhism for Mothers explores the potential to be with your children in the all-important present moment; to gain the most joy out of being with them. How can this be done calmly and with a minimum of anger, worry and negative thinking? How can mothers negotiate the changed conditions of their relationships with partners, family and even with friends?

Using Buddhist practices, Sarah Napthali offers ways of coping with the day-to-day challenges of motherhood. Ways that also allow space for the deeper reflections about who we are and what makes us happy. By acknowledging the sorrows as well as the joys of mothering Buddhism for Mothers can help you shift your perspective so that your mind actually helps you through your day rather than dragging you down. This is Buddhism at its most accessible, applied to the daily realities of ordinary parents.

©2003 Sarah Napthali (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"This is an excellent, practical guide to everyday Buddhism not just for mothers, but for everyone who has ever had a mother." (Vicki Mackenzie, author of the bestselling Why Buddhism?)
"Emotional support of the finest kind: funny, uplifting, reassuring, real and wise. A truly 'mothering' book for mothers... and their children will benefit hugely." (Stephanie Dowrick, author of Choosing Happiness)

helped me as a single mother

I have been struggling with connecting what I'm learning and being a mother... this is the 1st step to get deeper into my learning and helping be a calm mother... a child's mental health is so important and as a mother we are the 1st defense in building them to be a strong loving adult...

Helpful Book!

What made the experience of listening to Buddhism for Mothers the most enjoyable?

I find this book helpful. I saw that one reviewer called it negative. I don't see it that way and in fact, to say that may actually be evidence that one missed the point of the book. It's very calming, realistic and helpful. The author acknowledges many of the challenges of parenthood (as opposed to using motherhood only because this advice is equally good for fathers.) I'd highly recommend this book and have already done so to several friends and family members. It's definitely on the "self-help" train. So, be prepared for that approach.

Good general read

I really liked this book. The narrator has a neutral voice and the content is pretty grounded. It's a great just general check in and listen and evaluate kind of book. One that you could read over and over. One huge downside is they keep referring to the appendix. And audio book - that is hard. Would have been nice to amend that somehow.

Life changing

I am not done with this audible yet (over half way)but I felt compelled to share how life changing this book has been for me as a (stay at home) mother to two little boys ages 1.5 and 4. I have felt a lot of anger and frustration with them lately and every little thing from this book resonates so deeply with me. I am not Buddhist but sometimes study Buddhist teachings. I will be recommending this to all types of parents. I want to re-listen with my husband as I think it will help him. This book should be called “Buddhism for parents” because I think fathers could relate and benefit from this book too.

great audiobook

love it , easy to listen to, a must to have on your home library

Extremely helpful! :)

Very accessible and helpful advice for all parents. It assisted me to refresh and inspire my spirit whilst my parenting was going through a difficult patch. The relationship with my child (and myself) has benefited enormously. :) :) :) I am keeping this audiobook on hand to listen to whenever I feel I need a reminder about what is important! (My only criticism is sometimes the case studies were a little cliche and over simplified - but this is such a minor thing in a book that is so inspiring).

fun and insightful

A great listen to for mothers of children or those who are thinking about mothering in the future.

Life chaging

What did you love best about Buddhism for Mothers?

This book is for every parent... Doesn't matter what your religion is.... this book is a MUST listen. I have now listened to it three different times in my parenting career of 7 years and 3 kids and each time it has given me new insight and renewed hope for calming my inner anger, critic and ego and learn to be in the moment and find joy.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is easy to listen to and easy to relate to. It is not negative in anyway, yet still deals with the harsh realities of parenting. It gets at the core of issues mothers struggle with and it helps break them down and allows you to really explore the reason behind them.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Macauley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any of her other performances, but this one is well done and her voice is easy to listen to with a light flow and slight accent I find enduring.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The WHOLE book! The beginning intro started it off and it just continued from there. This hit me at my core. I was desperately searching for someone to validate the struggles that mothers feel and the intensity of parenthood and this book was it!!

Any additional comments?

GET IT and LISTEN. And then repeat. And then give it to other friends and family for a gift!

Perspective

I loved it. A lifejacket thrown my way during storm of emotions. It really helped me put things into perspective and has convinced my that Buddhism is my path to a better state ofe being.

A Must read/Listen to for everyone

I’m relistening to this book since it’s a major mental pick me up these days... I love the gentle voice of the narrator too