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
Saturday July 10, 2004 &
   Sunday July 11, 2004
Today's Sip:  Mindful Verses and Parenting
 
Today's tip is big enough for the weekend (also, I will be out of town) so the next column will appear on  Monday.
 
Often I receive e-mails asking for help with a parenting issue.  There is always a helpful response grounded in the practice of mindful parenting, but it does not directly address the parenting issue.  It focuses on the parent, which, in turn, may assist with the specific issue.  The June 18th column discusses this at greater length.
 
When parents are looking for guidance with immediate results, the creation of a mindful parenting verse which is then shared with the child can sometimes prove helpful.
 
A good example can be found with the verse on brushing your child's teeth.  The verse is to be created from a mindful place, for then it resonates true with you and your child.  Some instruction can be found here.  (scan for the section "Creating the Verse from Within a Mindful Parenting Place.")
 
Breathe deeply, relax your body, and release your thoughts as if they were birds let out of a cage.  Open your awareness to the problem at hand and sit silently for a few minutes.  Stray thoughts will emerge -- let them go.  Insight will flow which you can capture in verse.  It doesn't matter whether it is a literary masterpiece; it comes from your heart.  It does not preach to your child.  Instead, it opens awareness to what is happening.  It is descriptive.  It is genuine.
 
Even though the process is one inviting spontaneity, after you've jotted the verse down, you may want to edit and refine it, keeping to its essence.  Or, you may want to start over.  
 
Share it with your child. Don't be pushy.  You may even start reciting it by yourself.  Perhaps your child will join in.  Perhaps not.  Perhaps it will make no difference.  Perhaps it will take time.  Regardless, it will help you look more deeply into the issue and that insight works magic, on both you and your child.