Mother’s Day is fast approaching! At this difficult time in the world, it’s important to thank the moms in our lives and remind them to take good care of themselves. So, for all you last-minute shoppers, we’ve put together a list of our recommended reads for #MothersDay. These mom-centric picks are all about showing our appreciation and empowering the mothers we know to de-stress, power up, and be their best selves. Read on for gift inspiration!
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For Moms Who Need to De-Stress (And Thrive!)
Moms are always taking care of others. These reads will help a mom you know master the precious art of taking care of herself, too!
Breathe Mama Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms
by Shonda Moralis
Moms can feel as if they are sprinting through life, crashing onto the pillow at day’s end only to start again the next morning. In Breathe, Mama, Breathe, psychotherapist Shonda Moralis outlines the benefits of daily meditation and shows moms how to do it—in just five minutes! Plus, she shares over 60 “mindful breaks” that help moms tune into their own well-being (along with everyone else’s):
- Eat a mindful breakfast—with no phone, TV, or newspaper!
- Cuddle your child and take three deep breaths together.
- Give yourself a mindful-mommy high five—because moms can use positive reinforcement, too.
Every mom—whether caring for a new baby, an overscheduled grade-schooler, or an angsty teen—can become a mindful mama!
The Mindfulness Coloring Book series
by Emma Farrarons
In today’s busy world, finding a moment of peace and calm can be a challenge—especially for the moms out there. Mindful coloring is a simple yet powerful practice that combines the proven, time-honored tradition of thoughtful meditation with the massive popularity of adult coloring books, and shows that any activity, done right, can be an exercise in mindfulness.
The Mindfulness Coloring Book series offers up three pocket-sized books filled with pages of intricate designs and beguiling patterns perfect for Mom! This way, she can take a few minutes out of her hectic schedule to reset and refresh.
A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control
by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez
Stress often comes from situations that are beyond our control—such as preparing for a meeting, waiting for test results, or arguing with a loved one. But we can control our response to these everyday tensions—through the wisdom and practice of stoicism.
Stoicism is an ancient Roman pragmatic philosophy that teaches us to step back, gain perspective, and act with intention. In A Handbook for New Stoics, renowned philosopher Massimo Pigliucci and seasoned practitioner Gregory Lopez provide 52 week-by-week lessons to help us apply timeless Stoic teachings to modern life.
No matter her current life philosophy, this handbook will help Mom embrace challenges, thrive under pressure, and discover the good life!
For Moms Who Do It All
We all know that mom who juggles everything in life with superhuman skill. These books will help her slow down and refocus her goals!
Breathe, Empower, Achieve: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Women Who Do It All—Ditch the Stress Without Losing Your Edge
by Shonda Moralis
For so many women, “work–life balance” is a myth. Between juggling a career, personal life, and family—plus side projects, a smidgen of self-care, and the occasional need to sleep—“mindfulness” can sound like just another thing to do.
But there is a way to manage all that stress, negate self-doubt, and find inspiration: mindfulness. In this follow up to Breathe, Mama, Breathe, psychotherapist Shonda Moralis offers guidance through fifty five-minute “mindful breaks” that tie effortlessly into a hectic schedule:
- Breathe mindful breaks promote calm and awareness through meditation, starting with “Coffee” (page 39)
- Empower mindful breaks bolster self-confidence—say, to “Unmute Yourself” during a meeting (page 149)
- Achieve mindful breaks help you set and conquer goals . . . for example, by asking: “Why Not Me?” (page 240)
If you know a mom who says she doesn’t have time for mindfulness—this book is definitely for her.
Kaizen: The Japanese Secret to Lasting Change
by Sarah Harvey
Baby steps are for mothers, too. Kaizen—meaning “good change”—is a Japanese philosophy that teaches the art of transforming one’s habits through small, simple steps. With Kaizen, even the boldest intention becomes a series of actionable, achievable goals. Each person’s approach will be different, which is why it’s so effective!
First popularized by Toyota, Kaizen is already proven in the worlds of business and sports. Here, moms who feel overwhelmed by all they’re juggling can learn to apply the wisdom of small actions to anything they want, such as health, relationships, money, career, hobbies, and home. For example, if Mom wants to focus on improving her health and fitness, here’s a Kaizen first step: if she commutes to work, she can get off one stop earlier than she normally would and walk the rest of the way for an extra morning workout.
For Inquisitive Mom Who’s Always Ready to Learn More
Some moms are insatiable learners—hoping to discover everything there is to being the best parent they can be. These books will help!
Baby-Led Weaning, Tenth Anniversary Edition: The Essential Guide—How to Introduce Solid Foods and Help Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater
by Tracey Murkett and Gill Rapley
Ten years ago, Baby-Led Weaning ended the myth that babies need to be spoon-fed purées. In fact, at about six months, most babies are ready to discover solid food for themselves. Today, baby-led weaning (BLW) is a global phenomenon—and this tenth anniversary edition of the definitive guide explains all its benefits for new moms!
Plus, this edition is updated with the latest research on allergy prevention and feeding Baby safely, a guide to using BLW at daycare, and much more. For the new mom in your life, this is the ultimate guide to teaching instilling healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
The Happiest Kids in the World: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less
by Rina Mae Acosta and Michele Hutchison
Calling all stressed-out parents: Relax! Imagine a place where young children play unsupervised, don’t do homework, have few scheduled “activities” . . . and rank #1 worldwide in happiness and education. It’s not a fantasy—it’s the Netherlands!
Rina Mae Acosta and Michele Hutchison—an American and a Brit, both married to Dutchmen and raising their kids in the Netherlands—report back on what makes Dutch kids so happy and well adjusted. Is it that dads take workdays off to help out? Chocolate sprinkles for breakfast? Bicycling everywhere?
Whatever the secret, entire Dutch families reap the benefits, from babies (who sleep 15 hours a day) to parents (who enjoy a work-life balance most Americans only dream of). As Acosta and Hutchison borrow ever-more wisdom from their Dutch neighbors, this much becomes clear: Sometimes the best thing we can do as parents is . . . less!
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We hope you found something great for the moms in your life! For more books perfect for moms, be sure to check out our Mindfulness and Parenting sections. Tweet at us at @experimentbooks to let us know what books you’re excited about. And Happy Mother’s Day!
