Bloom & Grow

Oona is going through some growing pains right now. She is learning new skills, and this precipice of new-ness has her feeling ill-at-ease: wanting physical contact with me during her waking hours, being less careful and more day-dreamy, waking at night full of tears, the works. She is also really testing boundaries.  This is true for me too; when I find myself on the verge of some break through, I am a bit unnerved and ungrounded. Much like my little one, I need a little bit extra earthiness!

One thing I pledged when becoming a parent was to never expect more from my child than I would expect of myself. I notice my patience wearing thin at times (mostly out of fear of her hurting herself as she is also testing boundaries these days too), and reminding myself of what I would want in moments preceding big change has really helped to relax me (and her!).

If you find yourself on the verge of something big or small, try to make a meditation out of taking care of your needs. If your shoulders are tense, practice releasing them over and over throughout the day. Should you feel like taking to your bed, make the ritual of rest a part of your routine. Above all, try to simply notice what you are feeling, bless it and release it by saying something like “what a human experience this is!” This is not intended to make light of any difficult circumstance, but to acknowledge that your essential, wonderful self abides… irrespective of what is happening externally.

In a few short weeks, Oona and I will be undertaking a new project together: Mama and Baby yoga at Heart Fire Yoga in St. John’s. Local peeps: please join us if you can! Fridays (beginning June 8) from 10:30 to 11:30am.