Mother Blessings - A Native American Tradition Celebrating Motherhood

A mother blessing is a popular gathering or party to celebrate the new mother. It origin's come from the Native American tradition of a Blessing way ceremony. Much like a baby shower celebrates the new life of the coming baby, a mother way blessing celebrates the mother's passage into motherhood.

A Mother blessing can be as elaborate or as simple as a mom wants. It could be a huge part with lots of women or just your best girlfriends or sisters.

It is a memorable coming together of women to celebrate the woman's entering into motherhood and to celebrate the strength of the woman's ability to grow and birth her baby surrounded by blessings and love and blessings of the important and beloved women in her life.

Some of the rituals involved are;

Belly casting- A belly cast is a great way to preserve a mother's pregnancy. It is essentially a mold take of the belly. You can buy pre made kits or use surgical tape to make the mold then plaster it. It can be adorned anyway the mother likes after it dries and displayed and kept. It will be a treasured keepsake for any new mom! She will be able to look back at her pregnancy and have a tangible reminder of her baby belly! Plus she will be able to create a treasured piece of art in the process!

Henna- This a great way to adorn the new mother. As well as have the women at the blessing way participate. You can hire a mendhi artist or buy a kit! SO either the participants can help apply the henna to the mother or everyone can get henna done! The mom may choose to have her belly decorated with henna and her arms or legs as well. The henna should last until the mom gives birth.

Bead Stringing- You could have each woman coming to the blessing way to purchase and bring a special bead. Each person may include a special blessing for the mother at this time. These beads can be strung at the mother blessing and presented to the mother. She then can wear them during labor to be reminded of all of the blessing bestowed upon her.

Food- Of course you will want delicious food for the mother blessing, but also consider bringing a few meals to be frozen. Each participant could bring 2 meals and stock the new mom's freezer. Gift certificates to favorite take out restaurants would be appreciated too if the mom doesn't have a lot of freezer space. Or you could organize a food drop off at this time for after the birth. Get creative! The new mom will appreciate the gesture and your delicious food.

Pampering- A massage or pedicure would be perfect to give the new mom at her blessing. A facial would be a great thing to do as well. Like the henna everyone can participate or it can be just the mother. It would be ideal for everyone to pamper the mom to be of course! You could also have everyone bring a luxury body care item for the new mom. These items will be sure to pamper the new mom both before and after the baby comes.

These are only limited to your imagination of course and can be personalized to the mother and the amount of participants.

A mother way blessing is a wonderful way to show support to the pregnant mother and is sure to be a treasured part of her pregnancy for many years after the event. She will look back on the blessing way with fond memories and love.