Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
From the Archives
The Daily Sip:  Apologize To Your
Child And Open Your Heart
 
Have you ever treated your child in a way that you later came to regret?  Odds are you were not mindful at the time you acted.  But your subsequent realization grew out of mindfulness.  How wonderful to have become mindful!  It is a state of awareness through which we can touch our true feelings and beliefs.  And it is from such a state that we can experience joy.
 
It all starts with awareness.  And while it is difficult during the to-be-regretted moment to wake up and be mindful of what we are doing, there are tools we can use to help us wake up.
 
Today, let us use the tool of the apology.  The apology is extremely powerful.  Not only does it help the person we apologize to, it is a magical mindfulness tool.
 
Plan today to apologize as quick in time as possible to your child to an act for which you "feel" an apology is warranted.  This is all prospective -- forward looking -- but know in your heart that, if and when such a time comes, you will express your regret then and there.  The apology may be something like "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to what you said," or "I wish I hadn't said that to you that way."  You'll know. 
 
Here is what you may find:  This vigilance awakens you to more mindful speech and action.  That make you feel good.  If you apologize (even for the slightest thing), your heart will open. 
 
But above all . . . well you'll see.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sunday May 16, 2004
Beautiful scene
Many parents
Many children
Experiencing the Joy of Connecting With Our Children
The Mindful Parent 
sm
Your mindful parenting practice tip
of the day. 
Be sure to
sip slowly
The Morning Cup
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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.
 
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