What being a mother has meant to me…..

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What being a mother has meant to me…..

As mothers day approaches I reflect on what being a mother means to me….. I was interviewed last year be Claire Obeid from The Wellness Project on motherhood. Here’s what I had to say then, and still feel exactly the same way!

What does motherhood mean to you?

The first feeling that bubbles up when I ask myself this question is… LOVE. Motherhood has meant many, many things but the biggest, most expansive part of growing into a mother has been this enormous, powerful, all consuming love that I’ve been so generously blessed with.

Motherhood has also meant many lessons in patience, an ability to surrender to what is, to go with the flow, hard work, questioning how I behave and what I’m passing on, wondering daily if I’m doing a good job, making time for myself and learning to stop and tune in with my son and his childish, delightful, vibrant ways.

Motherhood is a complex tapestry of raw and spirited emotions! It is without a doubt the best and hardest thing that I’ve ever done, the dichotomy of yin and the yang, the light and the dark, the ups and the downs….but what prevails is always LOVE.

 

 How do I stay healthy with a busy life as a mother?

For me staying healthy is all about being educated, dedicated and organized.  As a mother on the go, if you have what you need at your finger tips, then being healthy is pretty easy really. Good, nutritious food in the house, easy quick recipes and healthy options that kids and adults alike enjoy are all part of creating ways to making it easy and fun. The motivation to be healthy is that it feels so great! I want that for myself and I definitely want that for my growing son.

To stay healthy with a busy schedule I know that I need to create time for myself, to practice yoga, meditate, spend time with family & friends, receive massage treatments, acupuncture and enjoy being in nature often.

Having fun is a big aspect of health and I try to remind myself of this often, not to create too many rigid rules around what we eat and how we live, which can have the opposite effect of stress and tension. Being able to go with the flow and enjoy life is really what we all want.

 

 In what ways do you invite health and wellness into your child’s life?

I asked my 6 year old son this question, and he responded with, ‘you play with me and feed me’. Pretty simple really. I feed him a variety of whole foods, healthy treats and have always had him eat whatever we’re eating, from green juices to smoothies, raw cacao chocolate balls, tofu, fish, lot’s of greens, fruits and water, water, water.  It’s not always perfect, far from it, but as I learn more about health and nutrition I’m inspired to pass that on.

Playing is a vital aspect also, one of the greatest gifts that promotes health and happiness in our children, whether it’s with a 6 year old or a baby in utero, is that we tune in to them and spend time away from our busy schedule, absorbed in their carefree games, rhythms and magical world.

In terms of spiritual health, I’ve taught Phoenix the great benefit of doing what we love. Not to worry about getting the highest grades at school, or earning the most amount of money but to focus on what brings you the greatest joy, and if you do that then everything else will fall into place. I’ve taught him the importance of breathing to calm himself down, to question his stressful thoughts and a healthy appreciation for mother earth. I know this has been a wonderful source of comfort and health in his life so far.

 

 What are the biggest lessons I’ve learnt as a mother?

Learning to trust myself, to let go, deep breaths, slow down and enjoy the ride.

Early on I realized that it was going to take much more than just my husband and I to raise our son, we needed support and have been so lucky to have incredible family and friends that have helped us create a nurturing community. There’s no doubt that it’s challenging being a parent, however I’ve found that staying positive has opened up a bountiful learning ground that has bestowed so many valuable lessons and has certainly helped me to grow, stretch and expand as a person.

At the end of the day I kiss my son goodnight and although in that moment I feel relief to finally have a few moments to myself, I also melt into the most exquisite tenderness, and deep love and I am forever grateful.

Wishing you all the most gorgeous Mothers day!!

Lauren xxx

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