Mindfulness

By Carol Dores

Multi-tasking has been a way of life for me. Many nights, I’d cook dinner, feed a baby, do paperwork and talk on the phone at the same time. It was amazing how much got done! When I took yoga for the first time and tried to “just focus on the breath”, it was impossible to get the ‘to do’ list out of my mind. It took a long time to develop an understanding and appreciation for mindfulness.

One summer, one of our sons asked me to put my phone away, and really be present with him. That was a turning point.

So what is mindfulness in a simplified way?

· Being present. Truly present. When spending special time with a child, focusing only on the child, sending other thoughts away as they come.

· Really focusing. Try shutting your eyes and focusing only on your breath for 5-10 seconds (adding more time as you can) several times a day, again sending other thoughts away. When eating, focus on the taste and texture of each and every bite. Really pay attention to the little things.

· Observing without judgement. Think about what you are seeing and feeling, without passing judgement about it. Look around your environment, and really observe.

· Connecting. When listening to someone else, really connect with them. Eye to eye contact, nodding, smiling, “um hm” are all non-verbal ways to let someone know you are paying attention. Really focus on what they are saying, rather than thinking about how you want to respond.

These are just a few things to practicing mindfulness. When we are present and non-judgmental with our children, they will be more likely to openly share their thoughts and feelings. This can help us build better relationships, as well as stay calm and live in the moment.

Want to learn more about Positive Discipline? Check out the schedule of classes at www.positivedisciplinect.org/parenting-classes/. If there isn’t one that meets your needs, email info@positivedisciplinect.org, and we’ll do our best to meet your needs.

Want to be added to our email list to receive tips & tools, class updates, and more? Click here http://eepurl.com/8eOZj

#positivediscipline #mindfulness #bepresent #specialtime #focus #calm #nojudgement #accepting #betterrelationships #connections #listening