Momtras

Momtra

man·tra

/ˈmantrə/

noun

1. (originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation.

   
   

   "a mantra is given to a trainee meditator when his teacher initiates him"

2. a statement or slogan repeated frequently.

   
   

   "the environmental mantra that energy has for too long been too cheap"

mom·tra

/ˈmomtrə/

noun

1. A word or sound repeated to aid in a mom’s response to something crazy the kids are doing and there’s no time to meditate

Example: I whispered my momtra after seeing the basket of freshly folded clothes strewn about the room as my daughter was looking for a pair of socks for school.

1. A statement or slogan repeated frequently to help a mom stay the course, keep herself together and respond effectively

   
   

In Matthew McConaughey’s book, Greenlights, he sprinkles in his “prescriptions” for life based on his own experiences. They’re meant to be pieces of advice he shares based on philosophies he’s adopted over time and what he finds important to live by based on experiences he’s lived through. My various mom experiences have led me to do the same and develop what I refer to as “momtras”. My momtras have evolved over time to be phrases of affirmation or of calibration. All too often, I’ve been in a frenzy of stimuli – sounds, smells, emotions, stress, hormonal fluctuations – they all come at once and crowd my brain, restricting my ability to fully analyze a situation and effectively synthesize a viable solution that will not only please everyone, but keep life moving forward at a tolerable pace – #momlife, right?! 

Once the dust settles from the cyclone of stimuli and feels, I take the time to reflect and analyze post-event so that I can derive meaning from it. There was purpose in it and not taking the time to reflect is a missed opportunity to learn and grow as a mom. 

A momtra is something used to help me remember what I learned and calibrate my reactions in the future. There’s a truth for you – there will never be a shortage of storms to face or rocks to stumble on. Momtras are my compass when lost in a sea of What is happening right now?! It’s Jiminy Cricket when I’m about to lose the composure I’ve worked so hard to maintain after giving the same direction twelve times only to see the bedroom light is still on, shoes still aren’t tied, and kids are in the driveway playing AROUND the car instead of actually being INSIDE of it.

Momtras are the reminders of what I’ve learned when faced with another new challenge and don’t think I can handle it. Circumstances will make each challenge different, but momtras are what I come back to so I’m consistent in my messaging and solid in my conviction that I really can do this.