A Mindful Approach to Parenting and Caregiving
Thich Nhat Hanh

Family life can be super stressful at times, there’s no doubt about it!

You’re trying to get your child through breakfast, prepared for the day and out the door on time, and you’re running late. Or, you’re trying to organize the house before rushing into your workday…

Moments like these can be messy. We can feel impatient or distracted. We can become reactive, saying or doing things we later regret. We might also feel guilty for not parenting as well as we would hope.

Mindfulness can be a powerful remedy to parenting stress and can increase our ability to cope. With mindfulness we can respond skillfully to what is needed in the moment. Whether it’s practicing one mindful breath, or one mindful step, it is possible to remain calm and centered as we interact and connect with loved ones.

Practicing mindfulness can also support our overall well-being and help us to appreciate positive parenting moments.

In the sections below, we invite you to explore how you can bring the spirit and energy of mindfulness into your day and approach to parenting. Our hope is that this awareness will bring more understanding, joy and well-being to you and your family.

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Foundations of Mindfulness

Do you ever wonder why children ask so many questions? It’s because children are naturally curious, open and mindful and we can learn from this.

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Mindful Communication

Communication can be more challenging when we’re under stress, there’s a personal crisis, or when our child is struggling in some way.

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girl drinking tea

Discovering Compassion

We’re hardwired to notice when our child suffers or feels pain. It hurts when our child is not okay. It is also hard when we fall short of our own parenting standards. The stakes are high.

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Coming Home to the Present

There are endless reasons to feel overwhelmed as a parent! Uncertainty and stress are a given. The busyness of our lives means that we are often distracted or pulled away from the present moment.

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Softening Our Judgements

Have you ever lost your temper with your child and regretted your actions? Or maybe you set a limit, and grew frustrated when your child challenged you?

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Mindfulness for Children and Youth

Like adults, children and youth can benefit from the healing and transformative power of mindfulness too. Learning how to cope with stress and manage difficult emotions can set young people up for a healthy adulthood.

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