In a children’s  park, Meena  and Meeta watched their children playing. Meena observed her child’s frustration as she struggled with a puzzle. She knelt down, calmly encouraging her to express her feelings. Together, they worked through the frustration. She said “I understand this is upsetting. Let’s work on it together.” Meeta grew impatient when her child asked endless questions. She snapped at her child, leaving him feeling unheard. Later, at home, Meena’s child shared her worries, while Meeta’s child kept his thoughts to himself. Who do you relate to?

We know by experience that parenthood is a journey like no other, filled with joys, challenges, and countless moments of growth. Mindful parenting is an approach that invites us to navigate this journey with intention, presence, and empathy. It’s about cultivating a deeper awareness of our emotions, thoughts and actions to connect more authentically with our children.

What is the idea?

Mindful awareness is the foundation of effective parenting. It involves being fully present in each moment with our child, acknowledging their feelings, and responding with empathy and understanding. It’s about nurturing a relationship based on trust, open communication, and emotional support.

Why Mindfulness? How does it relate?

Mindfulness, as we very well know, is the practice of being fully present and aware. In parenting, it is being in ‘here and now’ in each moment of interaction with your child. It involves cultivating a deep sense of connection and empathy, actively listening to your child’s thoughts and feelings without judgement, and responding with kindness and patience.

By being mindful, we parents can create a nurturing environment that fosters emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a strong parent-child bond, ultimately supporting our child’s holistic development and well-being.

Practical Tips for Mindful Parenting:

1. Begin by exploring your own emotional landscape. Understand your triggers and emotional patterns. This self-awareness forms the base of parenting.

2. Pay close attention when your child speaks. Listen not just with your ears but with your heart. Validate their feelings and let them know you’re there for them. Use phrases like ‘I understand’ or ‘I hear you’.

3. Put yourself in your child’s shoes. Try to understand their perspective, even if you don’t agree. Empathy fosters a strong connection and emotional intelligence. There are times when their feelings might be valid but we end up invalidating them because their stress is not as big as ours. This isn’t correct.

4. Be clear about your expectations while allowing room for your child’s individuality. Ensure you don’t instill fears or strict regulations for your child but rather boundaries. Back your rules with appropriate reasons. ‘You can play with your friends but we have school early tomorrow and we need to get proper sleep to feel fresh for a new day! That’s why, come home by 9 pm. That way, we can have dinner together, watch some TV and sleep.’

5. Children learn by observing. Demonstrate the values and behaviours you want them to adopt. Show them how to handle challenges with grace and resilience. Talk about problems you are facing, in an age-appropriate manner, and tell them how you solved it or dealt with it. This will teach them that most problems that are in our control can be solved.

6. Instead of punitive measures, use discipline as an opportunity for growth and learning. Discuss consequences and encourage problem-solving. Focus on mindfully dealing with the problems at hand.

7. Dedicate quality time every week to connect with your child as a family. Put away distractions and engage in meaningful conversation. Talk about what you appreciate, and don’t appreciate, discuss solutions and plan for the next week.

Today, dear parents, ask yourself: Are you being a mindful parent? Are you consistently practising self-awareness, empathy, and presence in your parenting journey?

It’s a continuous process, and no one is perfect. However, every small step towards mindful parenting strengthens your bond with your child and creates a nurturing environment for their growth.

You can do it, dear parent! We all can. All the best.