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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.

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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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(c) 2003-2004 Zen Health.  All rights reserved.
The Mindful Parent is a servicemark of Zen Health.
From the Archives
Monday July 5, 2004
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.
 
 
 
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Please share your comments on today's column.  If you would like to receive a courtesy copy of The Morning Cup column e-mailed to you each morning, click here.
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