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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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 Daily Sip:
Visualizing And Sensing The Present Moment
Through Your Child
The practice of mindful parenting opens
awareness to the presence of your child in your life. That awareness
can then be developed so that as you become attuned to your child's
aliveness in the present moment, you become attuned to your own.
Today's
tip incorporates breathing and visualization
to help ground yourself in the present moment. You can try the
exercise anytime. Begin by simply making the decision to slow
down for a few minutes. This works most harmoniously if
you apply it while in a peaceful setting but it can be used anywhere
-- in the grocery store, at the office.
The exercise involves
reciting, silently or aloud, the following verse:
Breathing in,
my child breathes in
Breathing out, I breathe out.
Breathing
in my child's feet touch the ground
Breathing out, my feet touch the
ground
Breathing in my child hugs me
Breathing out, I hug my child
Breathing
in my child smiles
Breathing out, I smile
As you recite each verse,
sense your child engaging in the described action. Then
sense yourself. For example, when you imagine your child's feet
touching the ground, sense the pressure of your child's heels against
the Earth. Then sense the same for yourself.
This exercise
will both calm you and infuse you with a sense of joyfulness.
It will also enhance the quality of experience when you are with your
child.
