Mindful Parenting (video)

Parenting expert Susan Stiffelman explains how to come alongside—rather than AT—our kids to foster receptivity.

Being the captain of the ship means we can handle whatever storms our family sails through, Susan Stiffelman writes in the April issue of Mindful. When we’re at the helm, we send a message to our kids that says, “Bring it on, I’m the one you should come to when you’re in trouble.”

In the video below, Stiffelman, author of Parenting Without Power Struggles, demonstrates three types of parenting scenarios (child is in charge, no one is in charge, parent is in charge) and suggests ways to recapture our ship’s helm by fostering connection and cooperation.

And if you’re wondering where to go next for more literature on parenting with mindfulness and awareness, here are a few resources to consider:

Inner Kids: A website and mindfulness program run by Susan Kaiser Greenland, author of The Mindful Child. Kaiser-Greenland hosts a blog with tips, videos, and activities for teaching mindfulness to children.

The Greater Good Science Center: one of Mindful’s partner organizations, The Greater Good online magazine fuses reporting on the science of a meaningful life with inspiring stories of compassion in action. They have a section devoted to the latest findings on family and couples.

Here on Mindful.org, you may want to read “Mindfulness, Children, and Parenting.” Amy Saltzman, author of The Still Quiet Place, talks to Mindful’s mental health blogger Elisha Goldstein about how children and teens can find awareness, her research with children, and some key practices for caregivers.

[Model Photo: Colourbox.com]

This web extra provides additional information related to an article titled, “The Captain Steers the Ship,” which appeared in the April 2014 issue of Mindful magazine.