Parenting Styles: Mindful Parenting

Parenting Styles: Mindful Parenting

by | Infant, Newborn, Parenting Styles, School Age, Toddlers and Preschoolers

Mindful Parenting is a parenting style that is gaining in popularity and understanding. In order to understand this parenting style, I will first talk about what it means to be mindful.

Mindfulness is a practice that has been going on for many years. It has gained momentum and following in Western society in the past few years. Being mindful is the practice of being focused on what is happening right now without dwelling on the past or future. Sound simple? It is not as easy as you think and it takes a great deal of work and practice.

I have been trying to lead a more mindful life in the past 10 months. I will be honest and let you know that I have had some good days and many other days where I have focused on how I have failed at it (not mindful at all). What is helping me now is knowing that right now in this moment I am breathing and I am me. (It has taken me a great deal of time to be okay with just being me!).

So what exactly is Mindful Parenting?

Mindful parenting is when we parent in the moment in a conscious manner. So when you are talking with your child you are focused on the conversation and tuning out the thoughts of everything you should or could be doing. This is also when you are aware of how you want to parent and keep that in your thoughts when your child is being a child.

How do you practice Mindful Parenting?

In my opinion, the main keys to Mindful Parenting are as follows:

1.   Parenting in the moment: Allowing your child to start fresh each day and not dwell on past behaviours. When you parent in the moment you will find that it is important to stick with the boundaries you have set in a respectful and calm manner. There will be many moments throughout your child’s day that will be teachable moments. These are the moments that you are able to teach your child how to act in certain situations and it also gives you an opportunity to learn what your limits are.

2.  Talking about emotions: Children will learn about how to deal with feelings when we teach them by talking about the various emotions they will feel. mindful

3.  Listening: This may seem easy but in reality, it can be really hard. Hearing your child’s opinion without cutting them off in mid-sentence. Practicing reflective listening so your child can hear how you have interpreted what they said. Reflective listening is when you state “I heard you say….”. Then it is important that you acknowledge their feelings by stating something like “I can hear that you are _____ (frustrated, angry, etc)”. This will help your child feel that she is heard and understood.

 

Mindful Parenting is one of the many styles of parenting that are practiced in today’s society. This method may or may not work for you. As with all things to do with parenting, it is important that you parent the way that is most comfortable for you.

Baby Massage Benefits

by | Infant, Newborn

 

Massage can be a great addition to your baby’s routine, with benefits for both you and him. Some of the many benefits of baby massage include:

  • Can enable babies to affirm their bond with their parents, older siblings, grandparents and other primary caregivers.
  • Massage relaxes the muscles and enables your baby to breathe deeper which helps with readiness for sleep.
  • Massage stimulates the Vagus Nerve in the body. This nerve helps with digestion, improved bowel movement plus helps to regulate the nervous system.
  • Babies who are regularly massaged can become calmer and less fussy.
  • Massage is a great way to offer ‘tummy time’.

An added benefit of baby massage is that it can help parents as well by:

  • Boosting confidence when handling a newborn.
  • Reducing parent stress.
  • Increasing a Parent’s recognition of their baby’s needs through this intimate touch.

As the proud parents of a newborn, you may want to massage your baby, but find you do not have time to include it in your baby’s routine for the first little while. That’s okay.

When your schedule shifts a bit, and you’re ready to try, be sure that your baby isn’t too tired before you begin as this could cause him to become upset rather than to feel relaxed.

You can begin to establish healthy sleep habits early on in your baby’s life, but trying to fit your new baby into a tight, fixed schedule too soon can bring much stress and frustration. Same goes with adding massage when you’re both not quite ready or you don’t have the time.

Take your time and enjoy the process.