Mindfulness
Mindfulness in parenting is, among other things:
- being present and paying full attention to your child such that
- you are aware of your child's emotions and
- are compassionate towards him or her.
The first two part of this mindfulness we have already practiced. Today, you'll be focussing on the compassionate side of it.
Compassion is feeling the suffering of others with the desire to help ease that suffering. As a parent, we have this instinctive compassion for our child but sometimes it can be hard to be compassionate when in the midst of an argument or when your child doesn't behave as you like.
When you're angry it's hard to be compassionate. In these moments, you must try to be mindful and take a step out of your anger. You need to remind yourself of the love you have for your child and the good qualities that he or she has.
So when you find yourself angry with your child conjure up that loving feeling again. Maybe it was a time when you first held him in your arms or the time when she bombarded you with kisses. When you can feel this love again, you'll be able to feel compassion for your child. And from this point you can start to understand and respond to your child's underlying emotions.
Today's challenge action is to be compassionate to your child when in anger by recalling a more positive emotion.
When you have done this then come and join me on my private Facebook group 'Better Parenting Challenge' where we can have a group discussion on today's action or anything about parenting.
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