If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be afraid.
If children live with kindness, they learn respect.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
– From “Children Learn What They Live“ by Dorothy Law Nolte
As a child psychologist for over 25 years, I’ve seen too many kids who are hurting – some quietly withdrawn, some loudly acting-out – yet all of them feeling insecure and unsure of themselves.
Every child I’ve ever met is trying to do the best they can. And each one is yearning for our empathic understanding and guidance.
We all want the best for our children. Yet too often today, we’re unwittingly sabotaged by the rampant stress in our lives.
Too much to do, too little time. Too much to overcome, too little energy.
Too often we focus on the problem, rather than the solution. Too often we focus on what we can’t control, rather than on what we can.
What we can control is always here and now. The time is always now. The choice is always ours.
In this moment…
- I can be aware, or not.
- I can be accepting, or not.
- I can be acting aligned with my values and priorities in life, or not.
This is the power of mindfulness. When we bring clear, calm and kind awareness to the present moment, we can choose to respond to stressful challenges with our kids more lovingly and wisely.
And the bonus pay-off is this: Children learn what they live.
They do what they see us doing. They become, in part, who we are being.
At A Mindful Village, we care about being fully present to our lives, and to our children’s lives, so we can all thrive.
Stay tuned, as we develop practical tools and trainings to help you be more present for your kids.
And please contact me with any questions you want answered or any suggestions you have for what we can do to help you help your kids better!
Peter Montminy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, mindfulness teacher, speaker, author, and dad. He invites you to join in an ongoing conversation that seeks to restore sanity to humanity – one child at a time. Join us at www.AMindfulVillage.com.
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