Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
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.
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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.
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on mindful parenting. It's easy, free, and fulfilling.
The Daily Sip: The
Space Around Your Toes
We spend much of our lives trying to make
everything work smoothly. When things appear to go awry we can
become frustrated and anxious. This is also (especially)
the case when we are with our child. But, of course, we
cannot control everything, no matter how hard we try. By releasing
our stake in every outcome, we can find the room to relax
and for personal growth.
Children are very perceptive and aware
of our emotional states. When a situation becomes frustrating,
they passively observe our tendencies and manner of dealing with it.
When we are able to take things in stride, a valuable lesson is taught
to our children. In addition, our personal growth is accelerated.
We become more comfortable with what is.
Today, when you put
on your shoes, sense the space between your feet and the inside
of the shoes. As snug as the fit may be, there is spaciousness.
Putting on my shoes
I feel the space around my toes
Through
the practice of mindful parenting, we sense the space between
our thoughts and the present moment. We realize that they
are not one and the same.
Recite the above verse when
you put on your shoes, or anytime you become aware of your
shoes. When you do, take a deep breath and sense your
out breath filling the spaces inside your shoes.
When you interact with
your child and become anxious or frustrated, open awareness to the
space between your feelings and the true moment. Relax a bit
as you allow the roominess of that space to ease your mind.
In this way you may be able to detach from the uncomfortable
feeling and respond to the true needs of the moment.
