Meditation has long been the domain of the child-free seeker. The perception of the lone monk on the mountaintop, or magazine ads depicting the very young or very old childless yogi languishing in long retreats by the ocean, are almost cliche. Time and again, fellow parents lament about their lack of time to do even basic self-care, never mind meditation. This sense of lack feeds into the concept that a sincere, regular meditation practice and parenthood cannot co-exist. Meditation for Moms and Dads: 108 Tips for Parents and Caregivers boldly claims that a thriving meditation practice is not only possible, but an absolute must for the parent/householder. It isn't an empty claim. The author, Shana Smith, is doing it. Her journey is profound, funny, and fabulous. This book was born over two years of careful observation and recording about her own experiences merging the worlds of meditation and family life into a synergistic practice that is, in actuality, for all. The entertaining combination of tips, real-parent stories, and poetry demonstrates that parents can squelch the mindset of "I can't" to "I will" to celebrate the opportunity to embrace parenthood and worldly life itself as a vital spiritual practice rather than an impediment to one.

Meditation for Moms and Dads: 108 Tips for Mindful Parents and Caregivers, Shana Smith, ClearSky Publishing, Paperback, 148 pages, $19.95

Shana Smith was born in Hilo, Hawaii and moved to Gainesville, Florida with her parents and sister as a teenager. She attended the University of Florida and Eckerd College, receiving a Master�s degree and Ph.D. candidacy in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida. She has lived for most of her adult life between her �two hometowns� of St. Petersburg and Gainesville, Florida. For the past twenty-five years, she has been known to many across the state of Florida and the U.S. as the children�s musical persona �Shana Banana�