Slow Down: How Mindful Parenting Benefits Both Parents And Kids

When you think of parenting, the first thing that comes to mind is long, peaceful days filled with quiet activities and lots of love.…Right? The truth is, raising kids has never been an easy thing to do, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier. Parents — whether they work outside the home or not — are busy people. Getting homework, household, and work stuff handled doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for self-reflection. You might be surprised to learn, though, that there’s a way you can slow down and still get it all done. Better yet, you can be just as efficient and a lot less stressed. Read on to learn more about mindful parenting, whether it’s really possible, and how it makes a difference for your family.

Title: Puppy Mind
By: Andrew Jordan Nance
Ages: 3-7

"Buddhist monks describe it as a monkey mind, but I love this puppy brain analogy even more, especially for kids. Just like a puppy, our minds can wander to the future or dig up memories from the past. And just like yelling doesn’t work for training a puppy, neither does it work for calming our minds. But, if we take three deep breaths, it’s like giving our puppy brain a treat that helps us enjoy the present moment. This book is spot-on for introducing mindfulness and breath." --Publishers

Try any of these 5 fun mindfulness activities with your kids this week!