Are You a Worried Mom?
There is rarely a higher mission for a mother than finding the best ways to raise her children. Moms are eager to learn new ideas about parenting their children—what works and what doesn’t.
As someone who teaches Transcendental Meditation to women, I’ve heard many moms (and grandmas) talk about the joys of parenting, but I’ve also heard them express worries, stress, and heartache. Learning TM has made many of these women more patient, communicative, flexible, creative, and resilient. Often, they have brought their children to learn TM after experiencing its benefits firsthand. With confidence in TM based on their own positive outcomes, they believed their children would benefit as well—and they did.
What are you worried about?
These days, a hot topic among parents is internet use and safety. Bullying (including cyberbullying) and mental health issues are also high on the list. Dietary habits, sibling rivalry, stress, aggression, depression, lack of self-esteem, and access to drugs or alcohol are significant parental concerns. Published research on the TM technique shows notable improvements in all these areas. (A word to the wise….)
Partially due to impacts of the pandemic and a scarcity of teachers, parents are more anxious about their kids growing up emotionally and socially, and whether they’ll reach their full potential.
What you can do
What makes the TM technique unique in this regard is that it directly unfolds the full potential of the mind, enlivening total brain function. All the other benefits derived from the practice of the TM technique are spontaneous side-benefits. Developing the full potential of the mind is like watering the root of a plant—with that one simple, direct intervention, every aspect of the plant is nourished and can thrive.
Transcendental Meditation, which is easily learned and effortlessly practiced by children and teens, tangibly reduces stress, creates resilience against future stressors, and develops a flexible and clear mind. It is the only technique that increases coherent prefrontal activity (as measured by EEG) promoting orderly thinking, reduced impulsivity and strong executive judgement. Well-controlled studies demonstrate positive effects on attention, and reduction of anxiety and substance abuse after only weeks of practice.
Because the Transcendental Meditation practice (about 10-20 minutes twice daily) gives children a deeply settled experience of themself, devoid of external pressures and peer influences, it enables them to find their own compass, their own inner self-sufficiency and happiness—without needing to talk themselves into how they should feel and be.
Ten key recommendations for moms
- When relevant, ask for professional guidance from a pediatrician or developmental specialist.
- Talk to other parents, especially mothers.
- Model healthy social interactions and social skills in your own behavior.
- Help your children develop coping mechanisms. (let them learn TM)
- Be sure to strengthen your own mental and emotional health. (ditto re TM)
- Help your child create strong networks of family and friends.
- Prioritize well being in your family, even more than achievement.
- Show empathy, kindness and appreciation of who your child is today.
- Seek help from professionals who specialize in developing holistic full potential (in other words, your local TM teacher).
- Be a person your child feels safe confiding in.
TM increases happiness and calmness, strengthens focus, balances hormones, and supports more orderly thinking. TM reduces stress hormones by activating certain functions of the parasympathetic nervous system while calming the sympathetic nervous system (the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the fight or flight response).
At age 14, Natasha learned TM and said, “TM came effortlessly to me. During TM I feel completely relaxed and I feel as though all my thoughts are left behind and my mind and body completely transcend to a completely rested and relaxed state…. Learning Transcendental Meditation helps to open your mind to a new and optimistic view of the world.”
Put aside your worries; no matter where your children are in their development, it’s not the end of the road. They will continue to grow mentally, emotionally and socially—especially if you follow these ten recommendations.
Talk with a TM teacher about a course for you and your children
About the Author
Janet Hoffman is the executive director of TM for Women Professionals, a division of TM for Women in the USA
