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Video: How to Parent (More) Mindfully

“Whatever you are doing, ask yourself, ‘What is the state of my mind?'”
–Dalai Lama

How can we parent more mindfully? I like to identify those situations in which I tend NOT to be very mindful, and then actually script for myself the change I’d like to make. I’ve found (and research shows) that we do better when we (1) identify an action trigger (e.g., when bickering begins in the back seat of the car) and (2) make specific plans for what to do next (I will practice noticing, labeling, accepting, and breathing).

For years I had post-it notes placed around my home that I would see in the typical places that I would “lose my mindfulness.” They said:

  • Notice
  • Label
  • Accept
  • Breathe

This video is the 2nd in a series about mindful parenting from The Raising Happiness Homestudy. Check out the rest of the Homestudy here.

Covered in this video:

  • Parenting mindfully will help you parent more skillfully. It may also help you apply what you’ve learned in other themes even better.
  • How do do it: Four steps to mindful parenting.
  • Practicing Loving-Kindness with kids.

If you want to try out a loving-kindness meditation at bedtime tonight and you’d like more instruction, check out this short video.

.If you would like to download the audio version of this video to listen to in your car or on the go, click the link below. DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO VERSION HERE.
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