Innate Wholeness

Parenting in the present combines two aspects of living: awareness and conscious intention.  The awareness of one’s true nature comes from the recognition that inside of our stories we are whole and at peace, regardless of circumstances.  In this recognition we can consciously create through clear intention, releasing the hold the past has on us while planning a future we allow to unfold – rather than cling to tightly.  In other words, parenting in the present is like an anchor to the truth of one’s being and to parenting in the way you define – rather than by default based on past experience or future worries.

As it is said, the past is gone and tomorrow has not yet come.  Of course that isn’t always how it feels.  It’s true, though, and parenting is one role in life that can certainly anchor one into the present if we connect with our foundation – one of simply being. We do things all day long. We clean, we shop, we cook, we clean some more (or maybe not), we eat, we clothe the kids, we run them here and there. We are definitely do-ers and life seems to only be getting busier.

Living life requires doing things and when we bring awareness to who we are being as we parent, we derive great benefit. Are our thoughts tied up in what we have to do after this task is completed? Or maybe we’re worrying about what went wrong earlier, or about the game next week? Possibly we’re frustrated about a disagreement with a loved one. Maybe it’s grumpiness, or sadness, or anger we’re feeling.  Truly, who are you being and how can you be who you want to be?

Tune into you first, who you really are.  Next, practice parenting in the present until it becomes an integrated skill. Much more than simply being physically present for our children, we are focusing on the ability to be fully present with our children as we parent them. This allows us to be free from distractions such as stress, worry, and negative feelings and to be full of the characteristics below.

Some qualities of parenting in the present…

• listening without judgment
• connected to the source of Life
• giving children our full attention
• responding in a kind, loving manner
• allowing children their own experience of life
• meeting children where they are developmentally
• observing and nurturing the family’s natural rhythm
• solving conflict through compassionate communication
• honoring and nurturing a healthy connection with our children
• allow learning between parent and child, not just from parent to child
• encouraging appropriate behavior through modeling and loving guidance
• meeting children in the moment, free from past hurt and worry about the future
• acknowledging and allowing ourselves and our children to fully experience feelings

While the possibilities are unlimited, when the focus of parenting is with being present, there are many benefits.

Parenting with presence allows us and our children to…

• Provide space to explore, grow, and learn
• Be open for inspired ideas to come through
• Be fully who we are in all facets of our being
• Enjoy the relationship and family we have created
• Encourage everyone to be the very best they can be
• Recognize and use the power of the mind, body, and spirit as a whole
• Maintain an accepting, positive outlook for relationships, dreams, challenges (small and big), literally all of life itself
• Meet each moment of parenting (and life) with complete and pure attention, free from hurt of the past and worry about the future
• Contribute to the expansion of human consciousness and the well being of the planet

We are discussing a way of parenting that ultimately defies complete definition by words – it comes from a place of peace within. The result is a blend of acceptance, appreciation, joy, and enthusiasm for the parent-child relationship and the experiences that come through it.