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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
TMP Book Series
Wednesday December 15, 2004
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The Daily Sip:  The Bedtime Story
 
Perhaps one of the most sacred moments we share with our child is when we read to them.  During these times they are fully engaged, fully present.  Are we?
 
With so much going on in our lives, it is easy for our minds to veer off into reflections on the past or the anticipation of future events.  All the while our mouths mindlessly recite the words on the page.  When that happens, we miss so much.  
 
          Turning this page
          I take a breath
          And marvel that I am here
          With my beautiful child
 
Today, when you read to your child, take a breath as you turn each page and reflect on the extraordinary gift that life offers you at that moment.  Look deeply into your child -- observe your child's emotions and honor your child by listening to what he or she wants to share with you about the story.  Smile with the knowledge that opening to this moment will slow it down and make it “real.”  Soon enough, you will finish the reading.  But, if you take the opportunity to become more mindful, the reading itself becomes sacred.
 
Today's Morning Sip originally appeared July 6, 2004, and can be found, along with others, in theMorning Cup Archives.
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A complete archive of "The Morning Cup" columns can be found here.
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The Mindful Parent is a servicemark of Zen Health.