Over at The Washington Post today for a little piece I wrote on mindful parenting. Check it out if you’re up for more!
And have a wonderful day…
Skip to content
So happy to see this. Very nicely done. xoxoxoxo
Wow! Very impressive. So proud of you friend!
Another interesting point-of-view. The article listed below was important for me to read as it has helped me to be a bit less judgmental.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-hicks/dear-mom-on-the-iphone-youre-doing-fine_b_5648388.html
Thanks, Kate! That was a really good perspective! I think in my writing of the article on mindful parenting, I wanted to give a few examples of what mindfulness looks like and what it doesn’t look like. I was in no way judging either parent, only reflecting on what makes me happy. While zoning out on the internet’s many distractions can be relaxing in an immediate-gratification sort of way, I don’t find that checking out ultimately makes me happier; for me, trying to be in the moment brings me more joy.
I did recently write about the very thing you mention: judgment, here a few days ago:
http://www.crumbbums.com/?p=7915
I agree that we need to stop judging other parents and just assume that they are doing what’s best for their children. Thanks for your perspective, I really do enjoy reading differences of opinion!
I loved it, congratulations! Beautiful work and super exciting, hurray 🙂
Congrats on getting published in the Washington Post! That’s awesome! Remembering to be mindful and present, and also to not judge other parents, is good for all of us now and then. The mom on her iPhone one day might be the mom chasing her kid around the park the next. You never know what’s going on in another person’s life.
Thanks for your beautiful writing and perspective on parenting, Lauren.
Wow, congratulations Lauren! I loved your article and whole-heartedly agree with you. I too feel happiest, not just as a parent but in all areas of my life, when I’m applying my energy towards the present moment. Kids themselves so naturally absorb the sights, sounds and smells around them. They are born into the world totally present to what’s around them. And as your article beautifully states, the present is the perfect place to be with our children – they’re already in it, we just have to meet them there.
Thanks for a great post and a wonderful article. I enjoy and admire your writing. I hope you’ll keep going in that direction and look forward to more!
Awesome piece Lauren, congrats! It applies to non-parents, too. Some uni friends are flying in tonight for a visit. So instead of frantically planning ahead to calculate a million permutations of what they could want to do, eat for dinner, drink…you’ve reminded me to focus on how great it is to spend time with old friends – and just take it from there. Thanks 🙂
Congratulations! I enjoyed reading your piece and truly am inspired.
Congrats Lauren – I always love reading what you have to say! I agree with you for sure about mindful parenting and I try to do it as often as I can. That being said, I don’t think that technology deserves all the blame. I remember my dad taking me to the playground as a child with the newspaper ALWAYS in his hand. He took the newspaper everywhere, or a book. If indeed my parents even went to the playground with us. Or I remember hanging on my mom’s leg when she was on the telephone with the long cord stretched across our kitchen while trying to fix dinner for all of us. Times change, distractions change. Being able to always be present is a luxury that a lot of parents just don’t have. As a working mom, I battle with this a lot. There are some things that just reflect poor decision making – letting your kid climb over a wall b/c you’re checking Facebook on your iPhone. Really no way to explain away that one. But checking your email on your phone on an afternoon walk with your kids when they are strapped into their strollers because you are a working mom and have to end your workday at 5 pm b/c of childcare constraints (and because you want time with your children before they go to bed), but are expected to be “on” by your boss for much longer than that if you have any aspirations of advancement, is a different story (in fact, this is my story as a working mom many days). I also want my girls to know that there is no place I’d rather be than with them – that is true – but sometimes I have to make decisions that pull me away. Do I think I’m short-changing them? I sure hope not.
Well said! Congrats!!
Noelle, thank you for your thoughtful response. Obviously, we can’t be present all moments of the day, especially if you are a working mom! I think it’s unrealistic to have those expectations, honestly. And of course technology is not purely to blame. But I do think it can be addictive and if we don’t keep it in check (I’m referring to constantly checking social media every 5 minutes, not being available for work) it can take over moments that we could be spending with our kids. I know what kind of person you are, and how hard you work. I don’t mean to minimize that in any way. We are all doing our best!
I’m sure you are not shortchanging your girls, and I also think that you are providing a very healthy role model for your girls by being a working mama. There are many wonderful ways to parent.
Well done Lauren! I was so pleased to see that you were published on the Washington Post. You have such a beautiful writing style. I love keeping up with you and your boys through your blog. 🙂