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.
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making this very compassionate contribution.
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The Daily Sip: The
Light of Mindfulness and A Challenging Moment With Your Child
The
New Year approaches. In five days it will be January 1, 2005.
This is the time that many begin to plan their New Year's resolutions.
There is an energy state that arises when one contemplates starting over
that encourage these sincere efforts. While not one of the more
common, one resolution you may have is to be an even better parent.
It
is easy to look back on the year and to wish you had done things differently
in terms of your developing relationship with your child. While
less easy, it is well worth the time to contemplate all the wonderful
things you did accomplish as a parent. In this latter regard,
it is most rewarding to recognize the changes in you to have
taken place in terms of how you approach difficult and challenging situations.
In terms of looking forward, the practice of mindful parenting helps
us to grow and evolve in our approach to difficult and challenging
situations.
Today, reflect on a specific instance during the
past year when your interaction with your child did not go as smoothly
as you would have liked. As a memory surfaces, try not to judge
it good or bad -- just allow it to surface. Let it be.
How wonderful to have been alive to have this interaction. And
how wonderful to be alive to work on how you deal with challenging
situations.
Try to notice how your breathing shifts when you
contemplate the memory. Often, when we think of the
past, our bodies move away from the present moment; our breathing can
become shallow. Use this as an opportunity to breathe deeply
and fully. Remain present as you contemplate the memory.
Be aware of thoughts (regrets, wishes, defenses) that arise, but do
not engage them. Allow them to float away.
This exercise
brings your child into awareness. The conjuring of what may
be an unhappy or unsatisfying memory can be important if
we absorb it while staying present. Continue to return to your
breath (especially if you find your thoughts drifting). Shining
the light of mindfulness on this memory will begin or continue the
process of growth and have a beautiful influence on interactions
to come.
