The Mindful Parent
sm
Experiencing the Joy of Connecting With Our Children
Forum
Home
Contact Us
FAQ
Resources
Current Events
Meditations
Verses
TMP Book Series
Beautiful scene
Many parents
Many children
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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Submissions
Your mindful parenting practice tip
of the day. 
Be sure to
sip slowly
The Morning Cup
Newsletter
The Morning Cup Archives
Sign up for The Mindful Parent newsletter and receive information and tips on mindful parenting. It's easy, free, and fulfilling.
(c) 2003-2004 Zen Health.  All rights reserved.
The Mindful Parent is a servicemark of Zen Health.
From the Archives
Friday July 9, 2004
Today's Sip:  Experience Life as Your Child
 
Drawing from the proverb:  You can't really connect with your child until you walk a mile in your child's shoes.
 
Today, stand a few minutes, or walk a few feet, in your child's shoes.  Whether your child is an infant or an adult, you know your child well enough to open awareness to "who they are inside."
 
Try to do this at least three time today -- once when you are feeling good and the day is going easy, once when you are feeling stressed, and once when you are with your child (neither of the first two should involve your child).  Each episode can last as little as 15 seconds or as long as you like.
 
When you are ready, breathe deeply to help ground yourself in the moment.  Relax your shoulders -- feel them drop.  Soften your gaze and relax the muscles in your face.  Then, visualize your child in front of you.  Smile.  Invite your child into your body and watch as they walk toward you and then disappear into you.  Sense the transformation.  Continue breathing deeply, drawing your breath into your belly -- experience the feelings and intuition of your child.
 
At this moment, you are connecting at a deep level with your child.  Perhaps you feel the desire to react thoughtlessly.  Maybe you feel a peaceful calm.  Whatever it is, let it be.  Observe it as it passes through you.  Marvel over your child's wonderful complexity.
 
When you are finished, express thanks to your child, ask him or her to return to the world, and visualize your child leaving your body.  You may feel a sense of loss.  That's okay.  Observe it.  The sensation is a measure of your heart opening to your connection to your child.  It is love.
 
 
     -------------------------------------------
View The Morning Cup archives.  If you would like to receive a courtesy copy of The Morning Cup column e-mailed to you each morning,click here.
     -------------------------------------------