Preparing for school in the morning can be a hectic time as we ready our children and ourselves for the new day. Each morning offers subtle variations.  Through the practice of mindful parenting, we awaken to the beauty and richness of these moments.  The days turn to years and, before long, our child finishes school and will move away from home. 

 

The following verse is a reminder of the transient nature of this experience.  It helps us to value the time with our children even more than we already do by seeing it for what it is – a beautiful moment to cherish.  Recite the verse while in the midst of the morning ritual and transform it.

 

               This ritual

               Will not last forever

               What color are my child's shoes

 

The verse is not intended to focus on the past with sentiment or to concern ourselves with a future that is not here.  Rather it grounds us in the here and now, for right now there is magic taking place around us to which we need only open our eyes. 

 

What is the color of your child’s shoes as he or she heads to school?

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.