Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
Your mindful parenting practice tip of the day.  Be sure to sip slowly
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Experiencing the Joy of Connecting With Our Children
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The Mindful Parent 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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The Mindful Parent is a servicemark of Zen Health.
Wednesday December 1, 2004
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The Daily Sip:  Awaken Early To A
New Year's Resolution
 

The unexpected tends to awaken.  While it is nice to receive gifts on special occasions, it's the gift we receive out of the blue that awakens us to the quality of a relationship out of which the gift manifested.  This might be an "I just wanted to say I love you" gift.  It could also be one's first glance at the Grand Canyon as it comes into view.

 

As we approach the New Year, you may begin to contemplate resolutions.  Today, make a resolution that pertains to your child. 

 

To do so, situate yourself in a quiet place with as little distraction as possible.  Breathe deeply and slowly, relaxing your shoulders and softening your belly as you draw your breath in.  Then, open awareness to your child by visualizing him or her.  If you are physically present with your child at the time, look deeply into your child.  Gently put to yourself the question, "How might our relationship deepen?"  Try not to start thinking of an answer; the answer will come from a place deeper than thought.  Allow there to be silence, stilling the internal chatter.  Be aware of your breathing.  

 

After a few moments a resolution borne out of mindful contemplation of your child may emerge.  If it doesn't, then repeat this process a little later on.  It may even emerge in the middle of the day when you least expect it.

 

This resolution is one you may begin today.  It is a gift you have given to yourself and to your child.

 

 

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