Slow Motherhood Resources

This is my best list of slow motherhood resources to help you slow down, be present, and create lasting connections that nourish your soul, create joy and calm, and

It is rewarding. But like most wonderful things, it takes work. A lot of it. It takes courage, patience, kindness.

So, I’ve created this list of slow motherhood resources to help you find your slow motherhood speed. To help you be still with your children (and sometimes without them). To help you create more time by taking more time. To help you

I have included some affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you purchase products through these links (btw, thank you so much, if you do!). It won’t cost you extra and they are all things I have used, read, recommend, and absolutely LOVE!

Slow Motherhood Resources:

First, if you are new here, I’d love it if you would join my slow motherhood challenge. It is a five day start to slow motherhood.

Also, take a look at my past Slow Motherhood Challenges. Pick one or two (hey, pick them all!) that resonates with you and try them out. My favorite? The Do Less Challenge (it is still challenging to me).

Not exactly sold on this whole slow motherhood (or slow parenting. Dads, if you’re here, you’re so welcome…I just talk to moms because I am one!). Take a look at my Why Slow Motherhood post.

My Favorite Books:

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Louv talks about Nature Deficit Disorder, and what we as parents can do to prevent this. It advocates getting outside with kids, for their well-being (and our own). This book inspired me to take more adventures and to slow down outside with my kids. It gave me the courage (because of how necessary it is) to take that hike by myself with both kids, something I may not have done otherwise.

It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness by Sylvia Boorstein

Sylvia Boorstein reminds us that nothing is permanent. Challenging stages in our children’s lives are not permanent, so even though it feels like sometimes this is never-ending, it is all transient. Even the wonderful times are not permanent, but the impermanence only makes these wonderful times sweeter.

This book (and the realization of impermanence) may be what inspired me to slow down.

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

This book talks about using your child’s left and right brain, and the “upstairs” and “downstairs” brain to help them thrive. We can take those difficult moments and move beyond just surviving. By understanding the neurology and brain structure, we can help them integrate better.

But, even more importantly (for me at least), this book reminds me that sometimes my toddlers are using their downstairs brains and logic will not work. That there are times that we do just need to get through it, and that we can discuss the issue later. I have gotten better at differentiating and once I determine that this is a downstairs or right brain problem, all I can do is be patient and loving, and wait for it to pass. That alone has helped immensely with my strong-willed three year old.  

Don’t have time to read it? They’ve provided a refrigerator sheet to get you through those tough moments.

Groups:

Free Forest School:

I am new to FFS, but am so excited about it. There motto is “letting kids be kids, outdoors.” Perfect. They encourage letting kids lead, explore, and adventure. They encourage parents to let them. And by letting them, we can relax and slow down ourselves. Perfect.

Tinkergarten:

Oh, how I love Tinkergarten. Especially for little ones. It gets them outside, playing, being creative, socializing. We’ve had so much fun with our Tinkergarten experiences.