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.
Click here to learn more about making a submssion. We thank
everyone who has contributed or is considering making this very compassionate
contribution.
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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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Today's Sip: Breathe
with your child
Today's mindful parenting tip is about as simple
as it gets: Breathe with your child.
Breathing is a key
component to many disciplines. It transcends spirituality,
athletics, and mental and physical health, to name but a few.
Its mention appears regularly in this column. Are you breathing
right now? That is, are you taking a slow and deep inhalation
and a steady and full exhalation? Are you aware of your breathing?
Today,
when you are with your child, turn your attention to their belly and
their breathing. Observe the rate of their inhalation and their
exhalation. Then, pattern your breathing after theirs.
Inhale with them. Exhale with them. Close your eyes and
sink into the soft airiness of the breath.
If your child's breathing
is short or not concentrated in the belly (but rather starts and stops
in the chest), then share with them the desire to engage in slow
deep breathing with them. Together, engage in deep breathing,
drawing the breath into the belly. It should be easy and quieting.
If you like, place your hand on your child's belly as the
two of you breathe together so that the pattern of your internal
rhythms becomes synchronous.
Enjoy this pleasant connection
between you and your child.
