Mindful Motherhood: A Conversation About Meditation, Presence, and Finding Peace in the Chaos with Jacqueline Kramer
You know those tiny moments that somehow stay with you forever? The way the light hit the sink while you were doing dishes. The weight of your baby’s head on your chest. The smell of coffee and spit-up and hope.
That’s mindfulness in action.
In this heartfelt and honest episode of the podcast, I sit down with longtime meditation teacher Jacqueline to talk about how mindfulness can support moms through the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum life—and why the goal isn’t to fix everything, but to be with it.
In this episode, we talk about:
how mindfulness helps you stay present with both the joy and the hard stuff
the sneaky way our thoughts try to “taunt” us—and what to do instead
how to respond to our children’s big emotions without spiraling ourselves
the power of simply being with your baby (especially when you don’t know what to do)
… and a whole lot more!
Jacqueline shares so much wisdom from decades of mindfulness teaching and her own motherhood journey—and she’s so down-to-earth and relatable about it all. You’ll leave this episode feeling more grounded and empowered, no matter what season you’re in.
My favorite moment? When Jacqueline said: “Not knowing is most intimate.”
Whew. That hit me right in the heart. So often in motherhood, we think we have to have the answers, fix the crying, stop the tantrums, figure it all out. But what if our power comes from being present in the not knowing?
When you’re holding your baby and they’re crying and you’ve tried all the things and nothing’s working… maybe the most powerful thing you can do is be there. With them. With yourself. With love. Even when it’s messy and uncertain.
That’s mindfulness.
So what is mindfulness exactly? And is it the same as meditation?
Jacqueline breaks this down so beautifully. Meditation can take many forms—chanting, visualization, repeating affirmations—but mindfulness meditation is all about being with exactly what’s happening right now without trying to change it.
It’s not about escaping. It’s about noticing.
Feeling the tension in your shoulders. Watching your thoughts drift by like clouds. Breathing with your baby in the middle of the night. Being where you are, as you are.
That’s what makes mindfulness such a powerful practice for moms—it brings you back to yourself. Over and over again.
A simple practice to try: The Glitter Jar
One of Jacqueline’s favorite beginner-friendly mindfulness exercises is something she used with her own granddaughter—a jar filled with water, glycerin, and glitter. You shake it up, and then sit and watch the glitter settle to the bottom.
That’s it.
It’s the perfect metaphor (and practice) for calming a chaotic moment—whether it’s your toddler’s meltdown or your own overstimulated nervous system.
Try it the next time things feel overwhelming. Sit, breathe, and let the glitter settle.
But what if I can’t commit to a 20-minute meditation every day?
You don’t have to. Jacqueline reminds us that it’s not about how long you meditate—it’s about consistency. Even five minutes a day can make a difference. And it doesn’t have to be silent or perfect or uninterrupted.
Your meditation practice could be...
Sitting in the car before preschool pickup and taking three deep breaths
Noticing your feet on the ground while you rock your baby to sleep
Washing dishes and paying attention to the way the water feels on your hands
Mindfulness isn’t something you have to add to your already-packed schedule. It’s something you can weave into the life you’re already living.
A final word from Jacqueline: “These hard moments can become your superpower.”
When you face the tough stuff with presence and curiosity, you build resilience. You learn the terrain. You develop tools that will serve you not just in postpartum—but for life.
And when another mom comes to you one day, feeling exactly how you feel now... you’ll know how to hold space for her too.
Need more support on your motherhood journey?
You're not meant to figure this out alone. Join the waitlist for the A Bridge to Motherhood Community—a supportive space for first-time moms who want to feel seen, supported, and equipped through every stage of postpartum. Doors open Fall 2025!
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You know those tiny moments that somehow stay with you forever? The way the light hit the sink while you were doing dishes. The weight of your baby’s head on your chest. The smell of coffee and spit-up and hope.
That’s mindfulness in action.