Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
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.
The Daily
Sip: Holiday Sweets and
Being Present with Your Child
At
this time of year, you are likely to be running into more cakes, cookies,
and sweets than usual. Whether you indulge in or eschew these
holiday treats, or something in between, they can serve as important
mindful parenting cues.
Today, as you ponder whether to taste
a cookie, cake or chocolate, allow your thoughts to linger over
the decision. Rather than just picking one up and taking
a bite -- the treat becoming a memory before you know it -- open awareness
to the pleasure associated with the treat. Recite this verse
as you ponder the moment.
This tasty treat
Let
me savor each bite
Like every
moment
I
am with my child
All too often we eat sweets with little awareness
of what we are doing. We pop little chocolates into our mouth
or eat pieces of cake, all the while engaged in conversation or working
away at our desk. Sometimes, we can't even remember the act
of having eaten a particular treat. This is common with food
in general, and especially so with sweets.
It is also common
to squander precious time with our child. With many of our children
home from school for the winter break, we have the gift of extra
time to spend with them.
Of course, much of the time we
experience great joy when we are with our child. But there is
a difference between enjoying being with our child and being truly
present with our child. When we are present, time slows
down and we savor every moment. As a result, rarely will
we come to reflect on the moment longingly, for we were truly there
while the moment was happening. As with the tasty treat, when
you are with your child, open awareness to the awesome gift of being
with your child.
My
beautiful child
Let
me savor each moment
We
are together
For like the chocolate
This moment will soon be gone
