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 Daily Sip:  Bringing Awareness To Your Body And To Your Child
 
When we bring awareness to our body (and away from our thoughts) a vital part of who we are awakens from its slumber.   Opening our awareness in this way also enables us to deal more effectively with situations we encounter because "more of us" is involved in the process.
 
Today, let that opening of awareness extend not just to our body but to our child's body.  All this may sound complicated but it's really rather simple.   It does take practice, though.
 
Let a typically annoying event awaken you to this process.  Perhaps it is the first red light you encounter -- you know best.  At the moment you begin to feel frustrated or annoyed, look at one of your hands.  Breathe deeply.  Marvel for a moment over its beauty, over its extraordinary functon.  Then, begin to slowly move your fingers and watch them.  Feel them.  Try to feel them moving from the inside.
    
When you are sensing your fingers from as deep a level as you can, visualize your hands changing into those of your child's.  Perhaps they grow smaller, less wrinkly.  Maybe they become softer.  As you begin to sense this transformation, let your awareness shift to that of your child -- as if your child were looking at his or her own hand.  Beathe deeply  and smile.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuesday May 4, 2004
From the Archives
Beautiful scene
Many parents
Many children
Your mindful parenting practice tip
of the day. 
Be sure to
sip slowly
The Morning Cup
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Experiencing the Joy of Connecting With Our Children
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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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