How to Be a Conscious Parent
Conscious parenting is notably championed by Dr. Shefali Tsabary, New York Times bestseller, as an alternative to traditional parenting models. This approach favors a revolutionary paradigm shift in which parents are no longer positioned with hierarchical power over their children.
Instead, a conscious approach to parenting values the symbiotic benefits that both parents and children experience when a more circular journey of growth is realized. In fact, conscious parenting is often referred to as a set of beliefs rather than a parenting style that is guided by rules or steps.
Simply put: Conscious parenting reframes how parents and children connect, thus contributing to each other’s long-term personal growth.
The conscious parenting journey focuses on the need for parents to leverage mindfulness in an effort to be more present for themselves. In working on living in the moment as part of a lifelong spiritual journey, parents can better build stronger self-acceptance and relationship-based connections with their children. As parents commit to a path of self-discovery, both parents and children benefit from a more loving, authentic, and intentional lifestyle.
Benefits of Conscious Parenting
A peaceful parenting style can help everyone in your family to thrive by reducing stress, anxiety, and irritability. As a more confident parent, you can help your children access their true spirits by setting healthy boundaries. When you see your child as an individual with their own thoughts, perspectives, stresses, and questions, your role as a parent naturally emphasizes the need for clear communication with healthy boundaries.
In responding to a child’s emotions with care, despite feeling overwhelmed, angry, or tired, a conscious parent models how to respond to negative feelings. Conscious parenting enables parents to make more deliberate choices and access the tools required to manage any number of parenting stressors. Additional benefits include the following:
● Become more in tune with your emotions
● Children emulate positive behavior
● Create a safe, positive environment
● Improve listening and communication
● Reduce rebellious behavior in children
● Enhance conflict resolution skills
Practice Mindful Parenting
With a heightened awareness of our own feelings and thoughts, we can bring a mindful approach to parenting that allows us to respond more effectively to theirs. Knowing our own emotional triggers that make us vulnerable to getting upset or angry can help us assess new or familiar situations more constructively. But, how do we keep an open mind long enough to enact positive change in the relationships we are building with our children?
Take a Moment
In the absence of overreacting in the moment, parents have the opportunity to take a moment and breathe first. Grounding yourself with an encouraging mantra or song may be what you need to bring mindfulness to the situation. Giving yourself the time you need to impose a simple shift in mindset can convert your impatience into kindness and respect. Starting with a few deep breaths is known to reduce tension and release toxins.
Trust Your Child
Dr. Tsabary says that we “need to connect to our own abundance, to trust our children, to follow their lead…[that] this is how they will absorb wholeness, abundance, fullness and spirit.” That said, parents are responsible for leading by example and teaching their children how to become their more authentic selves. In trusting our children’s path, we are creating a safe, stable environment in which our children can learn self-respect, self-expression, and self-confidence.
Establish Boundaries
Arguably, one of the most difficult parts of parenting consciously is understanding how to give our children freedom while setting healthy boundaries. These limitations are meant to keep them safe, healthy, and happy, while also serving as a constructive way to teach and guide. Boundaries should not be confused with consequences as the former are meant to create connections and share our core values rather than establishing terms of punishment for misbehavior.
How I Can Help
In my conscious coaching practice, I guide parents in making more deliberate parenting choices. As we try to set healthy boundaries with our children, we, too, benefit from living with more intention and consciously choosing growth over perfection. Contact me to learn more about the benefits of conscious coaching, or to schedule your free consultation today.
