If you are practicing conscious mothering then you are likely creating your own rules for your family as you go along. Every child is unique and requires a different parenting style. Just when I started to feel comfortable parenting my daughter, my son was born and I had to start all over again!

How do you know if what you are doing is right? I would say first, be easy on yourself, forget about ‘perfection’ parenting is a journey and every family is unique- there is no ‘right’ way! If you are even reading this article, chances are you are an amazing mom who wants the best for her family.

You can get tips from books, the internet,  friends, etc, but in the end you are creating your own path- your guide is your own intuition. That being said, I do think that being part of a community of moms who have the same goals (they want what is best for their own authentic family)  can be a great inspiration and help motivate you on your journey. If you find the information here useful, the exercises and tips here can be adjusted to fit your unique situation.

Establishing Your Values:

Once you have established your values for your family (another great way to do this is to establish your needs, here is a list to get you started.)

You may find when you establish your values they differ from the family who raised you, you may get some resistance. Here is a past article I wrote Setting Personal Boundaries ~ Family that may help.

After you establish your needs and values, the next step is living them out daily. Children change and grow daily (too fast it seems!), keeping a healthy holistic rhythm can sometimes be a challenge… things may be going along smoothly, then one day you wake up and suddenly the kids are screaming, the house is a mess, you have nothing to make for dinner, and you need a bath!

When frustration strikes, the first thing I like to do is stop, take a deep breath, and take a short break if possible (sometimes if we are halfway through the day, I stop what we are doing and take a walk around the neighborhood with the kids in the double stroller- the kids enjoy scenery and walking is very therapeutic for me).

During this time I take time to envision each of my children and their own unique gifts. I focus on gratitude. Even on the days when it seems like nothing is going right, if I reflect I can find at least one shining moment each of my children has had and it brings a smile to my face.

The nourished home: keeping rhythm/ harmony.

Observe- Reflect -Adapt

In the evening, after the nightly routine of stories and blessings, and the kids are asleep in their beds, I like to take a few minutes to review the day.

Here are some of the questions I ask myself.

• Did I model the behavior I want to see in my children? Did I give them valuable things to imitate?
• What went right today?
  
• What went wrong today? Is there something I could have done to avoid it? Could I have handled the situation differently?
• Where the needs of my family met? Are my needs being met?
• When were my children the most engaged, did the daily transitions go well?
• What am I proud of today?
• Did I have realistic expectations of my child’s behavior today?
• How was the harmony (or balance) of our lives today? Did we do too much of one thing- Not enough of another?
• What will change tomorrow? Is there an overall bigger change that needs to happen?

Parenting with intention: By practicing  reflection on how things are going with the family daily, I have found it is easier to  adapt as our family changes. I then attempt to do the best I can to work toward living our core values daily, changing and growing.

Overall, what I try to do is stay in tune with my children, celebrate their unique gifts, and attempt to help them be the best version of themselves they can be. Part of mothering holistically is also working on myself, so I can be a good role model for them (more on this in future articles!).

” Wisdom is what works” – Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D from The Dangerous Old Woman

Do you have your own unique tips and techniques for creating a rhythm and harmony in your home? Please leave a comment, I am open to hear from other authentic mamas!

* If you like this mp3 course don’t forget to sign up for my updates so you don’t miss any other great resources- the sign up box is on the right hand side of this page

Colds and Flu Audio Webinar

This webinar is from the course Kids & Herbs ~ A naturally simple course for parents

This Mp3 is a conversation between two parents (me and John Gallagher from Learning Herbs ) we talk about how we use herbs daily with our kids.

This MP3 audio is a casual webinar format, it is perfect for the busy parent- download and listen on the run!

Topics of the Mp3 include:

Download the Mp3 on the link below:

KidsHerbs-2

Disclaimer:

Related articles

• How to use and make your own natural herbal remedies for children- colds and flu (authenticmama.com)
• How to take charge of your childs health naturally (authenticmama.com)

“Why is it that when I don’t know what I want, there is always someone waiting to tell me what it is? I’m just lucky I guess. ~ Anne Wilson Schaef

Do you really know what your needs are?

If you are not living authentically, you may wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and wonder who the person is that is staring back at you.

If we get used to doing what everyone else expects of us, we may loose the ability to determine what we want. We may get confused about what it is exactly that is good and right for us.  Our needs are not being met because we do not know what those needs are.

Unless you know what you want, what your values are, and what is right for you, you cannot be an honest person. You are not only being dishonest with yourself, but you are being dishonest with everyone you are trying to please. You may think you are pleasing them, but the reality is they will never get to know the real you.

People who will try to punish you for being authentic

In The Essential Laws of Fearless Living by Guy Finley he states ” Walk away from anyone who “helps” you to feel that it’s necessary for you to hurt; leave anyone who causes you pain for “your own good”.

Often we may fear being authentic about our wants, needs and values because of the reaction of others. In my view, honesty is the best policy. Real love is unconditional.

“Never accept as natural or necessary any relationship outwardly- or inwardly – with a person or psychological state that punishes you. Say “NO” and just go! A whole new independent life awaits you.” Guy Finely

Here is a great needs inventory from the Center For Nonviolent Communication

This list may help you in your path to authenticity, do you recognize any of these needs that may not be getting met in your life right now? Are you able to communicate these needs in a healthy way with others?

Here are some great products and resources:   Guy Finely Fearless Living