Parenthood can be a time of great inner turmoil for a woman. Yet parenting books invariably focus on nurturing children rather than the mothers who struggle to raise them. This book is different. It is a book for mothers. Buddhism for Mothers explores the potential to be with your children in the all-important present moment, to gain the most joy out of being with them. How can this be done calmly and with a minimum of anger, worry and negative thinking? How can mothers negotiate the changed conditions of their relationships with partners, family and even with friends? Using Buddhist practices, Sarah Napthali offers ways of coping with the day-to-day challenges of motherhood. Ways that also allow space for deeper reflections about who we are and what makes us happy. By acknowledging the sorrows as well as the joys of mothering, Buddhism for Mothers can help you shift your perspective so that your mind actually helps you through your day rather than dragging you down. This is Buddhism at its most accessible, applied to the daily realities of ordinary parents. Even if exploring Buddhism at this busy stage of your life is not where you thought you'd be, it's well worthwhile reading this book. It can make a difference.

Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children, Sarah Napthali, Allen & Unwin, Paperback, 224 pages, 2003/2010, $20.95

Sarah Napthali is the mother of two young boys who tries to apply Buddhist teachings in her daily life. She is also the author of Buddhism for Mothers, which has sold in the United States, the United Kingdom and has been translated into four other languages to date. Since the children started school, Sarah is very pleased to report that she manages to meditate daily.

acknowledgments	vii
preface	ix
chapter 1 buddhism and motherhood	1
chapter 2 parenting mindfully	17
chapter 3 finding calm	41
chapter 4 dealing with anger	59
chapter 5 worrying about our children	79
chapter 6 creating loving relationships	99
chapter 7 living with partners	123
chapter 8 finding happiness and losing our self-image	145
chapter 9 meditating	165
chapter 10 putting it into practice	185
appendix 1 the noble eightfold path	202
appendix 2 helpful books	206
appendix 3 helpful websites	210
appendix 4 from the scriptures	212
appendix
bibliography	219
index	222