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Mindful Parenting: Presence not Perfection Dates: Next classes in the fall Time: 6:30- 8:30 PM Where: Online via Zoom Bonus: Recorded Sessions that can be accessed whenever time permits. Contact: Teacher Cheryl Blackington for More Information 616-581-9217 teensjustbreathe@gmail.com |
Class Description
Mindful Parenting involves learning to see ourselves and our children with more compassion. We understand there is no such thing as a perfect parent. We do the best we can under very challenging circumstances. Mindful parenting teaches us to take a step back and notice the bigger picture: our beliefs and expectations, our behaviors, our children’s behavior, and how we can learn to put healthier, more productive patterns of behavior in place. It is not a step by step “how to parent” class, but rather a series of skills and practices that helps parents get in touch with their inherent wisdom. It embraces the growth mindset of ” I know what to do when things go wrong.” In short, mindful parenting can give us confidence in ourselves.
I do hope to meet you soon!
All my best
Cheryl Blackington Mindfulness Teacher
Mindful Parenting involves learning to see ourselves and our children with more compassion. We understand there is no such thing as a perfect parent. We do the best we can under very challenging circumstances. Mindful parenting teaches us to take a step back and notice the bigger picture: our beliefs and expectations, our behaviors, our children’s behavior, and how we can learn to put healthier, more productive patterns of behavior in place. It is not a step by step “how to parent” class, but rather a series of skills and practices that helps parents get in touch with their inherent wisdom. It embraces the growth mindset of ” I know what to do when things go wrong.” In short, mindful parenting can give us confidence in ourselves.
I do hope to meet you soon!
All my best
Cheryl Blackington Mindfulness Teacher
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Parenting Through a Pandemic (and Beyond):Presence, Not Perfection
"When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings."
~ Thích Nhất Hạnh, Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices. Art by Tamara Adams
The exasperation of parenting COVID-style has become the theme of many memes, sarcastic jokes, and parodies to try to ease the intensity of this very intense experience. Perhaps just the words “COVID” or “virtual schooling” are enough to trigger thoughts of doom and gloom. It has certainly been a difficult year on many many levels.
Trying a different perspectiveIf we had the time to reflect on this past year, I believe that we could each find some silver linings of this experience. Were we able to slow down a bit? Did we find more time in nature? Watch the birds and the wildlife? Maybe even care more for this world we live in? Did we form deeper relationships with our families? Did we let go of what was not that important or let go of some of our “standards”? Perhaps we treasured the small things in our lives a bit more? Did our hearts open to ourselves and our loved ones a bit more? Could we find room to laugh a bit at the absurdity of the difficulties we’ve been facing? Maybe COVID has taught us to re-examine and re-prioritize our values?
The little moments are the treasuresWhen I look back on my time as a parent, I remember fondly the sweet, special little snippets of memories; the camping trip when we stayed up late to watch the stars; the many hours at Lake Michigan; watching sporting and school events; and the messy family meals. These are the memories that loom large. I can laugh now at the things that went wrong, or the times I goofed up. All of the time I spent worrying has faded into the background. I wish I could have spent less time wanting to be the perfect parent and sweating all the small things and instead simply enjoyed the fleeting moments with my daughter.
A new take on parentingThe title of our Mindful Parenting series, “Presence, Not Perfection,” highlights the need for parents to find ways to just “be there” with their families and for themselves. Mindful Parenting involves learning to see ourselves and our children with more compassion. We understand there is no such thing as a perfect parent; we do the best we can under very challenging circumstances.
Mindful Parenting teaches us to take a step back and notice the bigger picture: our beliefs and expectations, our behaviors, our children’s behavior, and how we can learn to put healthier, more productive patterns of behavior in place. It is not a step-by-step “how to parent” class, but rather a series of skills and practices that help parents get in touch with their inherent wisdom. It embraces the growth mindset of “I know what to do when things go wrong.” In short, Mindful Parenting can give us confidence in ourselves.
Opening to new possibilitiesWe all do better when we feel better. There are practices we can put in place to ease us through this very challenging time. We can develop the clarity to see our children as they really are, not how we want them to be. We can know that we are not alone; that we can reach out and access support. And we can give ourselves the kindness and support that we need. It truly does take a village. I hope you will join me in our next Mindful Parenting series beginning in March.
"When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings."
~ Thích Nhất Hạnh, Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices. Art by Tamara Adams
The exasperation of parenting COVID-style has become the theme of many memes, sarcastic jokes, and parodies to try to ease the intensity of this very intense experience. Perhaps just the words “COVID” or “virtual schooling” are enough to trigger thoughts of doom and gloom. It has certainly been a difficult year on many many levels.
Trying a different perspectiveIf we had the time to reflect on this past year, I believe that we could each find some silver linings of this experience. Were we able to slow down a bit? Did we find more time in nature? Watch the birds and the wildlife? Maybe even care more for this world we live in? Did we form deeper relationships with our families? Did we let go of what was not that important or let go of some of our “standards”? Perhaps we treasured the small things in our lives a bit more? Did our hearts open to ourselves and our loved ones a bit more? Could we find room to laugh a bit at the absurdity of the difficulties we’ve been facing? Maybe COVID has taught us to re-examine and re-prioritize our values?
The little moments are the treasuresWhen I look back on my time as a parent, I remember fondly the sweet, special little snippets of memories; the camping trip when we stayed up late to watch the stars; the many hours at Lake Michigan; watching sporting and school events; and the messy family meals. These are the memories that loom large. I can laugh now at the things that went wrong, or the times I goofed up. All of the time I spent worrying has faded into the background. I wish I could have spent less time wanting to be the perfect parent and sweating all the small things and instead simply enjoyed the fleeting moments with my daughter.
A new take on parentingThe title of our Mindful Parenting series, “Presence, Not Perfection,” highlights the need for parents to find ways to just “be there” with their families and for themselves. Mindful Parenting involves learning to see ourselves and our children with more compassion. We understand there is no such thing as a perfect parent; we do the best we can under very challenging circumstances.
Mindful Parenting teaches us to take a step back and notice the bigger picture: our beliefs and expectations, our behaviors, our children’s behavior, and how we can learn to put healthier, more productive patterns of behavior in place. It is not a step-by-step “how to parent” class, but rather a series of skills and practices that help parents get in touch with their inherent wisdom. It embraces the growth mindset of “I know what to do when things go wrong.” In short, Mindful Parenting can give us confidence in ourselves.
Opening to new possibilitiesWe all do better when we feel better. There are practices we can put in place to ease us through this very challenging time. We can develop the clarity to see our children as they really are, not how we want them to be. We can know that we are not alone; that we can reach out and access support. And we can give ourselves the kindness and support that we need. It truly does take a village. I hope you will join me in our next Mindful Parenting series beginning in March.