Sometimes family life can be so busy that it's hard to clearly see what's happening in our children's and spouse's lives, and clearly hear what they are trying to tell us.
With mindfulness we take a moment to slow down and stop what we're doing in order to reconnect with ourselves, with each other and with the world around us. A good place to begin is by choosing a time each day to make mindfulness your family's top priority. Here are just a few of countless opportunities available daily to slow down and experience mindfulness together.
Snack time
We slow down and enjoy being together as we play close attention to the tastes, smells, sights, sounds and sensations of eating and drinking healthy snacks.
Nature time
We slow down and enjoy being together as we take a walk (or lie down on a blanket) and appreciate the smells, sights, sounds and other sensations of being outdoors.
Slow and silent walking
We walk back and forth (either indoors or outdoors) and pay close attention to the sensation of the bottom of our feet against the earth with each step.
Make sure you set aside some time to share your thoughts and feelings with each other when practising mindfulness together. This is a great time to ask your children about what's happening in their inner and outer worlds and tell them about what's happening in yours!
MORE RELATED STORIES
- The Mindful Child: an interview with Susan Kaiser Greenland
- Snow Globe Exercise for Kids
- 8 Mindful Practices for Parents
This article first appeared in Awaken, as a Mindfulness Parenting Tip of the Day. Reprinted with permission.
Susan Kaiser Greenland is the author of The Mindful Child and founder of the Inner Kids Foundation. For more of her on Mindful.org, read Kids can make the connection, The "About to" Moment and Teach your kids awareness with an apple!
