Product Description

In the rush, rush, rush of too-much-to-do-and-no-time-to-do-it, the all-important, nurturing aspects of parenthood can easily disappear. Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are and Myla Kabat-Zinn have collaborated on Everyday Blessings, a book that approaches parenting from the Zen Buddhist position of moment-to-moment awareness. It's a beautiful presentation and a thoughtful approach to mindful meditation that will help you slow down, enrich your life as a parent, and nourish the internal life of your children.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42220 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Customer Reviews

This book has helped me realize how important my daughter is
Parenting is such a shock, plus there is no rule book! Mindful parenting has helped me realize how important it is to understand your child and make them feel loved, understood, safe, and worth listening too. As a mother I am continously being tested by my daughter, particularly when she is angry, fed up and generally being a monster! The book has helped me appreciate that when our children are at their most difficult, that is the time we must be the most understanding, tolerant and calming! If I feel I am going off track i.e shouting and not thinking or listening to my daughter, I just pick up the book and it centers me; I once again find my compassion and tolerance. Wonderful book.

Zen parenting. Wherever you go, your kids are there too.
The Kabat-Zinns bring a fresh perspective to parenting, one that allows you and your children to be who you are, without preconceptions or restrictive expectations. It applies basic Zen precepts to child-rearing, such as living fully in the moment and acceptance. The Kabat-Zinns emphasize the need to respect the child's "sovereignty" (their word) which might be loosely translated as power or independence. I personally had a little difficulty with this concept as it seems to imply letting the little buggers get away with all sorts of infractions and deemphasizes the need to foster their consideration of others and behavioral limits. Overall, the authors can be vague and one wishes for a concrete directive for dealing with, for example, temper tantrums engendered by requests to eat broccoli. But the true test of a book on parenting is whether one can practice it and achieve results. In the brief time since I read it, I have noticed that I am more patient with, more attentive to, and more respectful of my 5 year old. Now, if I can just get him to eat his broccoli.

Inspiration
Never ceases to help me to focus on the moment and see conflict as productive. What could be better!