Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
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The Mindful
Parent is an organization devoted to sharing with parents and other
child caregivers ways in which to enhance the many joys of parenting.
By mindfully attending to our children, both when we are physically
present with them and when we are physically separated from them,
we can enhance our sense of connection to them and, in turn, our connection
to the cosmos. This makes us a better parent, a happier person,
and a more vital human being.
To facilitate a more mindful approach
to parenting, The Mindful Parent publishes on its website, and in
its bi-weekly
newsletter, mindful parenting
verses and commentaries.
The Mindful Parent website also serves as a community forum that encourages
and supports a mindful parenting dialogue and the sharing of mindful
parenting experiences.
In the spirit of developing a mindful
parenting community, we encourage you to
submit a mindful
parenting experience through verse, commentary, and imagery to share
with others. We believe that through our collective experience,
we can help each other develop a deeper and more meaningful mindful
parenting practice.
Click here to learn more about making a
submssion. We thank everyone who has contributed or is considering
making this very compassionate contribution.
Click
here to learn what
recent events are taking place and of changes to The Mindful Parent
website. Please
contact us with your questions about mindful
parenting or to share a mindful parenting experience. We are
devoted to working with you to enhance your ability to "be" with your
children, and to experience the bliss that awaits you.
The Morning Sip: Strengthen Your Child
With An Apology
Through
the practice of mindful parenting, we mature as parents and human
beings, and, as a result, offer our children lessons that can
help them as they mature and make their way in this world.
When
our child tests us, we hope to respond appropriately, having
listened deeply. When we take the time to truly listen, we respond
with compassion and without the interference of our vigilant and often
hurt egos. When we listen deeply we are best able to provide
our child with the guidance he or she needs. They may not always
like what we have to say, but we are responding appropriately, not
reacting in anger or frustration.
Those occasions when we
do react in anger and frustration can serve as wonderful mindful parenting
cues. They can also serve as wonderful opportunities to teach
our children through our actions.
In anger I lost myself
My apology
will teach the stars
Today, you may find yourself stressed
or frustrated and you may overreact to a situation involving
your child. If so, smile as you arrive at this wonderful
insight -- an insight growing out of the present moment.
Breathe fully
and slowly. Look deeply at your actions and feelings and,
with awareness of your true nature, apologize to your child.
There is no need to compromise your deeply felt beliefs about
how your child may have acted improperly, as that is a separate matter.
There
is great strength in an apology; it is the blessing that
grows out of anger and other behavior we come to regret. When
your child observes your strength, your child is strengthened
in return.
