While you are pregnant...

Read this book: Mindful Discipline.

I wish that I would have discovered this book while pregnant with my first child.  As parents, we have only the best intentions when raising our children and as human beings we are inherently GOOD.  However, life can steer us in many directions.  Life stressors, lack of sleep, and responsibilities drain our energy reserves. While we are grateful for the jobs, the homes, the lives we have, they do provide great 'ups' and sometimes 'downs'. We get influenced from friends, family members, co-workers, and media, on how to be a good parent and even how to balance being a parent and a professional.  It is easy to forget to stop and tune in to ourselves and listen to that inner voice that does have good intentions.  This book reminds us what being mindful is and helps us to stop and tune-in.  Ultimately, being mindful not only helps us be better parents and nurture our children to thrive in life but by being mindful we awaken to our full potential as human beings. 

After six times of telling your child to put their shoes on you probably want to scream by the seventh time after nothing happens after the first six.  Right?  Well, we can all do better than screaming.  Seriously.  It doesn't work.  What does work is being in the present moment.  It only takes a minute.  Walk over, hold your child's hand and perhaps gently but clearly tell them to put their shoes...then give a reason.  Connect with your child. 

I am NO parenting expert but I want to share how things have changed for me and my kiddos by just being a present and mindful parent.  The authors of the book are experts and they share their research and knowledge in such a concise, clear, and eloquent manner. 

It is worth a read!

Be well and be mindful,
MLC