Top three mindful parenting tips you can start practicing NOW
As I sit in front of my computer, trying to decide on my top three mindful parenting tips to share with you, I can’t help but reflect on how I started my journey with mindful parenting and how overwhelming it was to bring awareness to my moments of defeat. I thought I could practice all these different skills, simultaneously, which was not effective, and actually set me back further than I already was. At first, I had all of these wonderful exercises that I wanted to share in today's blog post, however, I realized the basic concepts of mindful parenting need to come first. Mindful parenting is a way of raising children that focuses on being present and in the moment, having the ability to respond to them with understanding and compassion, and is about taking the time to really see, hear, and understand your child, and about responding to their needs in a way that is loving and supportive.
Practice Being Present And In The Moment.
One of the most important aspects of mindful parenting is being present and in the moment. This means putting aside distractions and really focusing on your child and what they are doing. Yes, this does mean refraining from scrolling and even taking a series of pictures of your child eating an ice cream cone. We are all guilty of this, and by any means, I am not saying you can’t take pictures of your child in order to parent mindfully. However, using moderation during special moments allows you to be more present and intentional about how you show up for these core memories. Being present and in the moment also means being patient and understanding, and not getting caught up in your own thoughts and worries. When you are present and in the moment, you are more likely to connect with your child on a deeper level. You will also be better able to understand their needs and respond to them in a way that is helpful.
Practice Listening With Your Whole Heart.
Listening is another essential skill for mindful parents. When you listen to your child, you are not just hearing their words. You are also paying attention to their body language, tone of voice, and emotions. Listening with your whole heart means giving your child your full attention. It means putting aside your own thoughts and feelings and instead, focusing on what your child is saying. It also means being patient and understanding, and not interrupting or judging. When you listen with your whole heart, you are showing your child that you care about them and that you want to understand them. You also create a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings. One of my favorite mindful parenting tools to practice is reflective listening. Reflective listening can be used as a tool to deepen the connection with your child and let them know that you hear them and want to understand their needs. You can practice reflective listening by rephrasing what your child is communicating to you, which will help guide the conversation and lead to more interpretation.
Practice Accepting Yourself And Your Child Without Judgment
Mindful parenting is also about accepting yourself and your child without judgment. This means accepting that you are not perfect and that your child is not perfect either. But that’s ok because guess what? No one ever will be. It also means accepting that there will be times when you make mistakes and that there will be times when your child frustrates you. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. As a matter of fact, I catch myself often, falling back into my old parenting habits that do not align with being a mindful parent. Although I coach clients on how to incorporate mindfulness into their parenting journey, I have found that just because I have the knowledge, doesn’t mean my practice is perfect. I am far from it, actually. However, noticing the patterns of when you start going off the beaten path, allows you to find your way again. Being a mindful parent is all about centering in on your awareness. Without awareness, you have nothing to practice. Awareness reminds us that we will never be a perfect parent, but we can use our moments of weakness to guide us back in the right direction. When you accept yourself and your child without judgment, you are creating a more loving and supportive environment for both of you. You are also modeling acceptance for your child, which will help them to develop a positive self-image.
Mindful parenting is a journey, not a destination. It is not a parenting “style” and is more so, a practice. There will be times when you find it easy to be present and in the moment and listen with your whole heart. There will also be times when you find yourself getting frustrated or reacting in a way that you regret. The important thing is to keep trying. And remember, that even when you are not at your best, you are still a good parent.