The Daily Sip:  When You Are

Away From Your Child

 

It is easy to be aware of the presence of your child when you are with your child.  Mindful parenting, however, does not distinguish between times you are physically present and physically separated from your child.  Today's mindful parenting tip looks to engaging the practice of mindful parenting when you are away from your child.

 

Washing up in a bathroom is a routine occurrence that can often pass with little awareness.  To the mindful parent, this is a perfect opportunity!

 

The next time you are aware that you are washing your hands, "freeze frame" for a second.  Leave your hands under the flowing water and breathe deeply.  Study your hands.  These hands have been with you your whole life.  These hands are you!  At one time they were smaller than your smallest fingernail.  One day, they will turn to dust.  Right now, you can open and close them, turn them around, and grasp them together.  Do this, and marvel over how wonderful your hands are.

 

Your child also has hands.  You may have once held your child's hands when they were oh so tiny.  Today, they are larger, perhaps even larger then your own.  If not, one day they may be.  And, of course, one day they also will become dust.  But today they are full of 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.