Family life can be super stressful at times, there’s no doubt about it!
You’re trying to get your child through breakfast, prepared for the day and out the door on time, and you’re running late. Or, you’re trying to organize the house before rushing into your workday…
Moments like these can be messy. We can feel impatient or distracted. We can become reactive, saying or doing things we later regret. We might also feel guilty for not parenting as well as we would hope.
Mindfulness can be a powerful remedy to parenting stress and can increase our ability to cope. With mindfulness we can respond skillfully to what is needed in the moment. Whether it’s practicing one mindful breath, or one mindful step, it is possible to remain calm and centered as we interact and connect with loved ones.
Practicing mindfulness can also support our overall well-being and help us to appreciate positive parenting moments.
In the sections below, we invite you to explore how you can bring the spirit and energy of mindfulness into your day and approach to parenting. Our hope is that this awareness will bring more understanding, joy and well-being to you and your family.
Featured Resources
A Mindful Approach to Parenting & Caregiving
In this episode from the Kelty Centre's Where You Are podcast, you'll hear how mindfulness can support your overall well-being and help during common stressors that parents experience.
Present Matters: Mindfulness and Mental Well-being
Parents and caregivers are often curious about mindfulness – how do we fit this into our busy lives, does this actually help my child or youth's mental wellness? In this episode from the Kelty Centre's Where You Are podcast, listen to Paul Irving (mindfulness champion) and Dr. Dzung Vo, founding Director of BC Children's Hospital Centre for Mindfulness) to learn more.
Mindfulness for Parents & Children: Kelty's Recommended Resources
In this collection developed by the Kelty Centre, you will find a list of recommended resources for parents and children to learn more about mindfulness including websites, online tools, guides, books and provincial support services.
Breathr
Breathr provides easy and fun ways to practice mindfulness along with interesting facts about the benefits of mindfulness.