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: Washing Hands To
"Happy Birthday,"
Springtime and Your Child, Part 4 of 4
Today's
Morning Cup is the final in a four part series on becoming more
mindful and connected to your child while engaged in the everyday
task of washing your hands. The previous three columns
in this series can be found here, here, and here.
Each
part in the series explores how singing "Happy Birthday," to
your child, aloud or to yourself, each time you wash your
hands can be a wonderful and joyful mindful parenting exercise. As
discussed, the exercise (1) slows down an automatic act and infuses
it with deep meaning, (2) naturally directs awareness to
the body (hands) and away from the distracted mind, and (3) reminds
us of the vastness of the cosmos and the gift of our child's presence.
Today, the exercise will open awareness to the springtime of our child's
life and remind us that that freshness and innocence is always
present in our child, as it is with all the world.
Breathe
deeply and slowly as you sing or hum "Happy Birthday," to your
child and feel the sensation of soap and water on your hands.
As the lather develops and you look to the bubbles that emerge,
bring your hands to your nose and inhale the soft scent. It
is fresh and clean.
As you inhale the scent, imagine your
child as a newborn. Reflect on the innocence and freshness of
your child at that time (perhaps it is still that time). Then,
bring your thoughts to your child in the present moment, wherever he
or she may be. This timing can coincide with your concluding
singing "Happy Birthday," as you visualize your child's smiling
face.
Breathe deeply and smile as you contrast your child as
a newborn and your child today. Look deeply into the beauty
of your child's life and all that it offers you. In every moment,
there is the sweet aroma of freshness. All that is required
is that you open to the majesty of the present moment and sink into
it.
