How ‘Mindful Moments for Busy Moms’ Gave Me Back My Sanity

TW/CW: mental illness/mental health disorders

Seriously. I treat this book like some children of God do the Holy Bible; I pour over it at times, and other times, I get busy and let it collect dust. Then I wonder why I feel so lost. Then I remember my book and begin again.

Recently, I’d lost track of it because I still had some things in boxes from my move. Luckily, it emerged one day not long ago, and I’m having a wonderful time revisiting its pages.

The timeless clarity of the message is right in the title: Mindful Moments for Busy Moms: Daily Meditations and Mantras for Greater Calm, Balance, and Joy.

This book really is divided into mindful moments, and each moment grants you a little wisdom. Mindful Moments for Busy Moms by Sarah Rudell Beach has become a valuable resource for me as a mother, and in all honesty, I do my best to use its teachings in all my relationships.

I can use what I’ve learned from this book in all my relationships because the universal message being taught is unconditional love for self and others. This book teaches you how to live your best life just by keeping your cool and staying in the moment. Easier said than done, as you may have guessed, so let’s dive right in.

This book is geared toward mothers with younger children, but I highly recommend it for any mother that is looking for any part of what’s promised in the title.

There’s only one reason this book gave me back my sanity: it doesn’t leave anything out. I’ve never found another book on mindfulness, nor motherhood, that touched on every need I had, and yet the language is so clear and concise.

This book truly is for the mother. You won’t find information about what stage of development your child “should” be in; you’ll find out how to be at peace with yourself and your child as you are right now.

This book truly is for the mother. You won’t find information about what stage of development your child “should” be in; you’ll find out how to be at peace with yourself and your child as you are right now.

There is a brief introduction that defines mindfulness and discusses why mothers need it. Beach states that while it’s not necessary to read the chapters in order, beginners in mindfulness should start with the first chapter before exploring the others.

The chapters are titled as follows:

1. Begin — Mindful practices
2. Starting the Day — Morning practices
3. Nurture — Mindful motherhood
4. Sustain — Mindfulness throughout your day
5. Support — Mindfulness for difficult moments
6. Together Time — Mindfulness with your kids
7. Savor — Mindful appreciation
8. Close of Day — Evening practices

You will not feel alone after reading even a fragment of this book. Beach touches on everything I could think of, except the specific challenge of parenting with mental illness. While chapter five discusses mindfulness for difficult moments, someone who lives and parents with mental illnesses might need a more in-depth investigation to really feel seen.

If you are the parent reading this who struggles with mental illness, please know that I’m right here with you — I didn’t even get my bipolar diagnoses until my mid-twenties after my son was born. I still recommend this book for you, along with this article if you need a parenting pick-me-up.

The more we practice pausing, the better we will get at it. The more we practice being fully present with our breath, the better we will become at being fully present with our children.
— Sarah Rudell Beach

Beach also teaches that, “It’s okay to not love every minute of it.”

This is a book that can be utilized by the beginner or the advanced mindfulness practitioner. The introduction and first chapter guide anyone new to mindfulness, and all of the mindful moments that make up the book are so unique and grounding, even the experienced practitioner’s interest will remain piqued until the end.

Every page is beautifully designed, containing two-three engaging and validating bits of information or mantras.

When you allow someone, even a book, to create a safe space for yourself, healing just might begin to take place.

Validation is a huge aspect of Mindful Moments for Busy Moms. The tone in the book is all about meeting you where you are. When you allow someone, even a book, to create a safe space for yourself, healing just might begin to take place.

This book helps me find my own strength and sanity any time I feel they’re lost to me. I’m reminded that it’s okay to have a hard time and not love every moment of motherhood. I’m reminded that even mothers who don’t have mental illnesses feel inadequate and insecure.

I’m reminded I’m not alone, nowhere close. Neither are you. If you have a hard time remembering that, I wholeheartedly recommend Mindful Moments for Busy Moms.