In the context of parenting, research has shown that mindfulness can reduce stress and help to improve the relationship and communications between the parent and the child through mindful awareness and mindful attention. The mind through mindfulness meditation can be trained to be less reactive and more responsive. Attitudes of patience and non-judgement, and compassion can be developed through the practice of mindfulness mediation.
Mindful parenting puts the focus on the parent rather than on the child. There are three key factors to mindful parenting:
- noticing your own feelings when you’re in conflict with your child
- learning to pause before responding in anger
- listening carefully to a child’s viewpoint even when disagreeing with it
These skills help preserve the parent-child relationship, while also providing positive role modelling of how to handle difficult situations.
