My Blessing Way

A close friend of mine threw me a shower, that isn't quite your typical baby shower - it's more of a mama's shower. A Blessing Way shower, as it is called, is a shower that is more about embracing the fact that you're going to be a mother. It's a spiritual ritual that brings women together to celebrate birth and motherhood.

Here's a definition that you'll find out there that will fully describe what it actually is: The Mother's Blessing Ceremony, also known as The Blessingway or Blessing Way Ceremony originates from the Navajo people. It is a very positive ritual, affirming that a woman will have a natural and beautiful birth experience. The ceremony marks a woman's rite of passage. It is a ceremony of empowerment near the time of birthing. Within a circle of friends in a quiet, gentle, spiritual ceremony, those attending will celebrate sisterhood, welcome a new baby to earth and honor mother, birth life and rebirth.

This description was taken from www.birthbeads.com. It has more info on what a ceremony entails, if you're interested. We decided to do just a few of the "rituals" as we also wanted the shower to be unique to me and my friends, as I said before. I think this is important; you want to be comfortable and you also want your friends to be comfortable. I wanted a shower where we could eat good food, in a soothing environment, to have great conversations about becoming a mother. And that is exactly what it was.

This what we did. I have many dear friends, strong women in my life, that I would have loved to have been there, but this type of shower needs to be intimate. I decided to just have friends that have recently become mothers. Having a group of women that have this in common, was the only way I could justify not having others attend. But this is just what I did, it could be different for others.

The lovely host, my dear friend, decided to have everyone bring a dish a to share. It could have been one that either reminded them of their own mothers, of me, or just one they enjoyed making. We had such a wonderful variety, and they were all delicious. Then we asked that each person bring two red beads. These beads could have some sort of meaning or simply be sweet, red, beads. Each mother threaded their own beads that was then turned into a birthing necklace. This is something I will wear when I go into labor and deliver the baby. To me, the symbolism is being in solidarity with not only these mothers in the room who had given birth, but to all mothers in the world. After this, each friend gave me a piece of advice, an offering that was meant to empower me through this journey of motherhood. These offerings were all unique, thoughtful, and extremely inspiring. A few were powerful readings, one included awesome music, one - an endearing video, and one in a button that said it all - STRENGTH.

Along with this, each mom brought something to throw into a "nurture basket." This was a wonderful basket full of good teas, lotions, lip balm, bath salts, etc. Something I will for sure use now, and after the baby comes.

In between these "rituals" we talked about birthing stories, about how a baby changes relationships, about how a baby brings so many challenges, but so much joy. We cried, we laughed, and I believe we truly enjoyed an honest and genuine moment of what motherhood is all about.

So with this, I have to recommend that A Mother's Blessing is the way to go. You can design it to your liking, and the main focus should be about genuinely embracing birth and motherhood. Talking about what that means to you, and to others. The shower should have nothing to with gifts for the baby. It's about empowering you, and about receiving inspiration from loved ones. Right before becoming a mother, everything is so mysterious, so unknown. Why not prepare in a way that will give you confidence, that will ease your fears, and prepare you in a way that will let you know - You Can Do This.