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.
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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 Daily Sip:
Reading And Breathing
With Your Child
It is rare that a day passes that we do not read
something -- for work, fun, or perhaps spiritual growth. It
might be a newspaper, magazine, web site, journal, or book.
Often, when we read, we lose track of the present moment. While
there is nothing wrong with becoming absorbed in a reading, it
can be helpful to keep at least one toe planted in the here and now.
Today,
when you start to read something, plan to periodically
check in with the present moment. In some cases, your heart
rate and other physiological measures will bounce around while you
are reading -- perhaps you have a deadline, or are reading something
scary or disturbing -- or you may just simply lose track of time.
The
practice of mindful parenting opens awareness to the presence of your
child at times such as this when your child may be among the
farthest things from your mind. In contrast, you know that your
child is never far from your heart.
Much like the verse
on reading your child a bedtime story, make an effort to take
a full, deep breath as you turn a page. You need not do this
every time you turn a page, but try to at least once or twice.
As you do, open awareness to your child's breathing -- which is also
taking place at that moment.
As I breathe
My child breathes
Our cosmos is interconnected in ways that we
are just beginning to understand. Open awareness to the connectedness
between your inhalation and your child's exhalation.
