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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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The Mindful Parent is a servicemark of Zen Health.
Wednesday March 2, 2005
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The Daily Sip:  Slowing Down
With Your Child's Help
 
More often than we like, we find ourselves moving fast -- both on the inside and outside.  Mindfulness slows us down so that we become more present in the here and now.  The practice of mindful parenting expands our connection to our child and helps bring us into a more mindful place.
 
Today when you detect that you are moving too fast -- recite the following verse and visualize your child (or children) a few feet behind you, firmly holding on to ropes that are attached to your back, helping you to slow you down.
 
          My beautiful child(ren)
          I see you behind me
          Thank you for helping me
          Slow down
 
As you imagine each of your children tugging on a rope, open to the sensation of the rope pulling against their fingers and of the ground underneath their feet.  Allow these sensation to ground you further in the moment.
 
As you recite the verse, feel the pull of the rope against your back.  Lean ever so slightly backward as if the pulling were effective.  Breathe deeply and slow down the momentum moving your legs, arms, eyes, fingers, and your mind.  Come to rest and stop moving for a few moments.  Empty your mind of any lingering thoughts. 
 
Take another deep breath.  Visualize your children, wherever they may be, and smile. 
 
 
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A complete archive of "The Morning Cup" columns can be found here.
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