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Many Parents

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Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which our connection to our child, and awareness of our child’s presence, helps us become better grounded in the present moment

Your mindful parenting practice

tip of the day.

Sip slowly.

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 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 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 submission.  We thank everyone who has made a contribution.

Please contact us with your questions about mindful parenting or to share a mindful parenting experience.  The Mindful Parent conducts mindful parenting  workshops and seminars. 

 

The Morning   Cup

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If you would like a copy of The Morning Cup column e-mailed to you, click here.

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The Daily Sip: Reading and Breathing with Your Child

It is rare that a day passes that we do not read something -- for work, fun, or perhaps spiritual growth.  It might be a newspaper, magazine, web site, journal, or book.  Often, when we read, we lose track of the present moment.  While there is nothing wrong with becoming absorbed in a reading, it can be helpful to keep at least one toe planted in the here and now. 

 

Today, when you start to read something, plan to periodically check in with the present moment.  In some cases, your heart rate and other physiological measures will bounce around while you are reading -- perhaps you have a deadline, or are reading something scary or disturbing -- or you may just simply lose track of time.

 

The practice of mindful parenting opens awareness to the presence of your child at times such as this when your child may be among the farthest things from your mind.  In contrast, you know that your child is never far from your heart.

 

Much like the verse on reading your child a bedtime story, make an effort to take a full, deep breath as you turn a page.  You need not do this every time you turn a page, but try to at least once or twice.  As you do, open awareness to your child's breathing -- which is also taking place at that moment.

 

          As I breathe

          My child breathes

 

Our cosmos is interconnected in ways that we are just beginning to understand.  Open awareness to the connectedness between your inhalation and your child's exhalation.

Click here to read the last two Morning Cup Columns,

“The First Day Again”

”Three Mindful R’s”