Mommy Mantras: Affirmations and Insights to Keep You From Losing Your Mind (Hardcover)

~ Bethany E. Casarjian (Author), Diane H. Dillon (Author)
Key Phrases: managing anger, radical acceptance, Mommy Mantras, The Eyes Have It Mothering, The Bounce Back Factor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A rare find, a book on parenting full of humor and deep wisdom, both ancient and modern, eastern and western. When faced with the sometimes mortifying craziness of family life, these mommy mantras can be valuable aids to restoring balance and perspective, helping us to see our children more clearly and meet situations with greater mindfulness and heartfulness.”

—Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn, authors of Everyday Blessings:  The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting


"Unlike many other mothering books, Mommy Mantras offers concrete and useful advice.  It looks at contemporary mothering in a thoughtful and humorous way and provides practical solutions to those daily problems that often feel insurmountable.  I would highly recommend Mommy Mantras to any of my patients and to all the mothers I know. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as both a mother and a mental health professional."

—Ellen Stevenson, M.D., Clinical Director of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center


I love this book! I repeat the mantras at the pediatrician’s office, at preschool parent-teacher conferences, and in the bathroom and closet, my two hiding places for instant meditation. Casarjian and Dillon are brilliant at weaving together ancient Buddhist wisdom and psychology with humor and poignant stories that will help even the most stressed-out moms (like me). Thank you!

—Therese J. Borchard, editor of The Imperfect Mom
 

"Brimming with wise, heartfelt advice, Mommy Mantras offers specific tools to use in the moment when parenting threatens to drive you over the edge—when you are too angry, or too stressed, or too bored by the endless monotony of parenting. Mommy Mantras shines a guiding light in a long, dark tunnel."

—Patti Pitcher, author of Under the Chinaberry Tree


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Review

“A rare find, a book on parenting full of humor and deep wisdom, both ancient and modern, eastern and western. When faced with the sometimes mortifying craziness of family life, these mommy mantras can be valuable aids to restoring balance and perspective, helping us to see our children more clearly and meet situations with greater mindfulness and heartfulness.”

—Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn, authors of Everyday Blessings:  The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting


"Unlike many other mothering books, Mommy Mantras offers concrete and useful advice.  It looks at contemporary mothering in a thoughtful and humorous way and provides practical solutions to those daily problems that often feel insurmountable.  I would highly recommend Mommy Mantras to any of my patients and to all the mothers I know. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as both a mother and a mental health professional."

—Ellen Stevenson, M.D., Clinical Director of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center


I love this book! I repeat the mantras at the pediatrician’s office, at preschool parent-teacher conferences, and in the bathroom and closet, my two hiding places for instant meditation. Casarjian and Dillon are brilliant at weaving together ancient Buddhist wisdom and psychology with humor and poignant stories that will help even the most stressed-out moms (like me). Thank you!

—Therese J. Borchard, editor of The Imperfect Mom
 

"Brimming with wise, heartfelt advice, Mommy Mantras offers specific tools to use in the moment when parenting threatens to drive you over the edge—when you are too angry, or too stressed, or too bored by the endless monotony of parenting. Mommy Mantras shines a guiding light in a long, dark tunnel."

—Patti Pitcher, author of Under the Chinaberry Tree

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767923804
• ISBN-13: 978-0767923804
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,610 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Mindful Parenting Tools, August 29, 2007

By	A. Van (Northern California) - See all my reviews

During these "trying twos" months, I've had by my side this book and it has helped keep me sane. I recommend it to both dads and moms (even people without kids). The authors validate the physical and emotional challenges of raising children or dealing with major life transitions while at the same time giving you simple tools for dealing with your needs, emotions and growing pains in a mindful way. They keep it real, too, always noting that none of us are saints or Buddhas, and that sometimes we gotta ask for help or put our kids' needs aside so we can do the dishes or take a break. These mantras are helping to keep me mindful in all my relationships.

The book is divided into short little chapters, perfect for skipping around or revisiting. Although, I have enjoyed reading it from front to back, as some of the insights build on those in previous pages. Right now, my favorite mantra is "Embrace the goat." It's based on a story about a woman whose son always wanted to do the same thing at the zoo: pet the goat the entire time. The mantra reminds me to stay present in the moment even when it seems mundane or endless. It reminds me that my child notices when I'm not present and wishing to be somewhere else. Being mindful of this, I've seen an immediate shift in my enjoyment level with my son, and he has noticed this as well. It seems like he breaks fewer rules (like throwing toys into the fireplace) when I'm mindfully present and he can see my full, undivided attention in my eyes and face.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Wonderful Book!!, May 22, 2006

By	Mom of Three (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Mommy Mantras is such a positive and inspiring book! While realistically acknowledging that motherhood can be stressful, mundane, and scary, the authors nevertheless strongly concentrate on the positive aspects of motherhood too, and offer numerous ways to turn any negative situation around!! It is a book that parents can repeatedly return to for guidance, inspiration, and laughs!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful book, even for non- mommies!, April 4, 2006

By	beth (new york, NY) - See all my reviews

I loved this book; I found the affirmations helpful, informative, witty and clever!
As a non-mommy and elementary educator, I was able to make vital connections and greatly enjoy the book on many levels. Dr. Dillon's guidance can offer insight into family and inter-personal relationships, shedding useful light on the stages of our lives.
This is a sensitive and welcome little must-have book..
for mommies and non-mommies alike!