Signs on the roads and in the great outdoors can serve as wonderful mindful parenting cues.  A common sign is the "No-U-Turn" sign, the one generally represented with the big "U" and a diagonal line cutting across its center.   

 

Today, when you see this sign, take an imaginary U Turn with your life, going back in time to the point when your child first entered your life and imagining that it had not happened.  As you're driving or walking, pretend that you are where you are but without your child in your life.

 

Life easily could have turned out this way.  Breathe deeply and slowly and notice your feelings, whatever they may be.  Just sit quietly and observe your feelings. 

 

Later in the day when you are with your child or speaking with or thinking about your child, juxtapose the moment of being present with your child with one you had imagined earlier in which your child had not entered your life.  If you are able, hold both thoughts in your mind at the same time. 

 

               This child

               Like magic

               Appears before me

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.