Can Living in the Moment Make You a Better Parent?


July 16, 2016


Quote of the Week

"Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." -- Mother Teresa

Can Living In The Moment Make You A Better Parent?

"In the information age, parents are bombarded with tips for how to improve our child-rearing: 8 Ways to Be a Better Parent! Are You a Spoiler? Even if it is well-meaning, all of this advice can be overwhelming -- especially for those of us with young children.

It can be hard to find the time to commit to changes we think are important, like making our own baby food or doing some sort of daily exercise. So the average parent simply does not have the hours, or the psychological bandwidth, to make self-improvement a part-time job. Still, there must be some practical value to gain from such an inexhaustible knowledge base. Is it possible to be inspired by all the “better parenting” literature, rather than simply discouraged by its demands?

A new study from the Catholic University of Chile suggests that parents may be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Why? As it turns out, the key to better parenting and better mental health may be as simple as letting go of worry and releasing ourselves from judgment. In other words, mindfulness." Read on to explore the findings of this study shared by our friends at Greater Good Science Center together with practical tips for mindful parenting.

Reading Corner

Title: Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting 
By: Myla Kabat-Zinn and Jon Kabat-Zinn
Stages: Any

"The authors approach parenting from the Zen Buddhist position of moment-to-moment awareness. This can help parents slow down, enrich their life as a parent, and nourish the internal life of their kids. The book brings a fresh perspective to parenting, one that allows you and your children to be who you are, without preconceptions or restrictive expectations." -- Rajesh Kadam

Be the Change

Want to practice being more mindful as a parent? Watch this 2-minute clip by Dr. Christine Carter offering tips on mindful parenting. If you need ideas, here are a few practical ways you can cultivate more mindfulness in your life.