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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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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(c) 2003-2004 Zen Health.  All rights reserved.
The Mindful Parent is a servicemark of Zen Health.
Monday December 13, 2004
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The Daily Sip:
 Coffee, Tea And Your Child's Warm Embrace
 
As the weather grows cold for many of us, we drink more hot drinks like coffee and tea.  Hot beverages have two powerful characteristic: the cup is warm to the touch, and steam rises from its surface.  Today's sip finds a mindful parenting cue in the cup's temperature.  Tomorrow's sip will focus on the rising steam. 
 
               This drink
               Warm to my touch
               Reminds me of my child's warm embrace
 
Today, when you wrap your hands or fingers around your coffee or tea drink, notice the warmth against your fingers and palms.  Breathe deeply and allow the warmth to soak in.  With each inhalation, sense the warm feeling entering your hands and spreading through your arms and into your body, loosening your joints and bringing calm.
 
Then, recite today's verse.  As you do, visualize your child, wherever he or she may be at the time -- in school, playing, sleeping.  Imagine your child looking up at you and opening his or her arms wide.  As you do, slowly remove your hands from the warm cup, and feel the heat dissipate.  Open your arms wide and sense your child's warm embrace.  Smile.
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Please share your comments on today's column.  If you would like to receive a courtesy copy of The Morning Cup column e-mailed to you each morning, click here.
 
A complete archive of "The Morning Cup" columns can be found here.
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