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.
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making this very compassionate contribution.
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devoted to working with you to enhance your ability to "be" with your
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The Daily Sip:
Signing
Your Name and Your Child
We are constantly asked to sign our
name to documents. Whether it is a check, credit card receipt,
or postal delivery, we scribble our name across the dotted
line. We have signed our name so many times the process
has become automatic -- the signature itself predictable with every
twist and turn.
One of your child's first great accomplishments
is learning to print his or her name. Practically speaking,
your child feels the pride of accomplishment. At a deeper level,
your child's independent identity assumes a greater weight.
The process is slow, but sure. Soon enough, if not already,
your child will be signing checks, grocery store receipts, and for
postal deliveries.
To break away from the routine, practice signing
your name with at least one letter slightly modified. Whether
it is an "O" or an "A," or another letter, choose one that lends
itself to being opened wider. When you find yourself signing
your name today, slow down as you reach that letter.
Open awareness to every drop of ink that flows, to the width
of each line, and slowly open up the letter's boundaries.
Breathe deeply as you sense the spaciousness within its borders.
And, as you slow down, visualize your child -- crayon in hand, diligently
and slowly printing the letters in his or her name.
