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The world of a parent is a busy place – running from one activity to another, making dinner, the pressures of balancing work and family…it’s no wonder many of us feel distracted and rushed sometimes. And when you add technology like cell phones and laptops into the mix, it gets even harder to stay in the moment. But not being present for our kids can impact how we feel, as well as how our kids behave. Parents might feel pulled in many directions at once, as though they can’t keep up with all the demands, or might feel guilty for not being able to ‘do it all’. Kids might act out in different ways to get attention, or might whine or cling. If this sounds familiar, be kind to yourself – our current North American culture encourages multi-tasking and fast-paced living. But many parents have noticed that it’s when we slow down and pay attention that we really start to notice and enjoy the little moments that make parenting worthwhile.
You might have already heard about the benefits of being mindful and present with your kids. But what exactly does it mean to be mindful or present? Mindfulness refers to a particular way of paying attention, on purpose, and in the moment. To be a present parent means that you are in the moment with your kids, with both your mind and your heart.
While this sounds easy, most of us can relate to the distractions that most of us face every day: what will we make for dinner? What time is soccer? And where did they put their mittens? Being mindful as a parent means we are aware of our emotions and thoughts while we are with our kids. This also means starting to think about how we were parented, how it made us feel, and what we might want to do the same, or differently.
Here are some tips for becoming a more present parent:
Interested in learning more ways you can be a more present and mindful parent? Check out these links:
The Canadian Child Care Association: How Well do you Know your Child? If you’re working on being more present with your kids, this handout from the Canadian Child Care Association offers a thoughtful list of 30 questions to consider.