With this busy lifestyle everyone is leading, it’s no wonder the concept of being a mindful parent has been lost. It’s not something any of us did maliciously, it’s just that parents have so many things to handle such as a job, parenting, schooling, and then being a partner on top of it all that we started to grow towards a multitasking mentality.
While multitasking seems to get everything done on your to-do list, is it truly helping you lead a healthier and happier lifestyle?
I dare say no.
Today we’re going to chat a bit about mindful parenting and what mindful parenting is so that you can pause life for a moment and get back to basics. No matter how many things you have to do today or tomorrow, what you have to do is start putting yourself and your family unit as a priority.
When you’re around your family, they must be your focus.
When you’re practicing self-care, you must be your priority.
When you’re in work mode, work must be your priority.
I assume you understand what I’m getting at here.
What is Mindful Parenting?
Now that we got that out of the way, it’s time you learn what mindful parenting is. Mindful parenting is all about being present in the moment without emotions getting in the way. You will bring your conscious self to the point at hand without overthinking or having an extreme emotional response. You’ll listen to what your child is saying or doing. You will respond appropriately and not be distracted with anything else during this moment.
When you opt to be a more mindful parent you’re making a commitment to be intentional about how you spend your time with your children and how you respond to situations. A mindful parent won’t yell at their child when they make a bad choice, rather they’ll be more apt to respond in a calm voice with a consequence or discuss the situation to help their child learn why this choice was incorrect.
You might say that being a mindful parent helps teach your kids to have more respect, empathy, and compassion in a world that’s seem to have lost each of these traits. Not only will your children be calmer and more respectful, but you’ll learn how to be more mindful and calm in other areas of life too.
How to Practice Mindfulness
- Now that we’ve discussed what a mindful parent is, and how it’s beneficial to your world, it’s time to share how a few tips on how to practice mindfulness:
- Remove all distractions so that you’re focused on the moment and situation you’re in.
- Take a deep breath and slow your mind so that you’re not overthinking.
- Listen to what the person is saying and engage with intention.
- If the situation gets overwhelming, pause, and take some deep breaths. Return to the situation and speak calmly to address the overwhelming situation.
You may need some practice before you master mindful parenting, and that’s okay! No one is going to be a master at mindfulness in the first day, week, or even month. It’s all about making a commitment to yourself and your family about being more present in your everyday life for a healthier and happier life.