Life can feel like an endless juggling act—school runs, managing homework, preparing dinner, and a seemingly endless to-do list. It’s no wonder we are constantly distracted.
The most precious gift you can give your child each day is your presence. This is something we miss so easily in the madness of multi-tasking. It only takes a few seconds to become a more mindful mum.
THE POWER OF MINDFULNESS: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Imagine this: You’ve just picked your child up from school. You’re driving home, your mind running through work stress, meal planning, and the overwhelming list of things left to do. You ask them how their day was, and they give you the usual “Fine.” The conversation ends there.
Now, picture pausing for just a moment before they get into the car. You take a deep breath, ground yourself in the present, and truly focus on your child. That small pause would change the entire dynamic.
Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, without allowing worries about the past or future to interfere. When we practice mindfulness, we listen more deeply, connect more fully, and offer our children the gift of our undivided attention.
WHY MINDFULNESS MATTERS FOR MUMS
When I began practicing mindfulness in my daily interactions with my children, everything shifted. I became aware that my stress and emotions were often colouring the way I communicated. I realised:
- I was unintentionally bringing my own worries and frustrations into conversations.
- My responses were less about my child’s needs and more about my internal state.
Mindfulness gave me the space to pause, check in with myself, and respond more thoughtfully. It’s a game changer.
3 SIMPLE STEPS TO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS WITH YOUR KIDS
Here’s how you can start incorporating mindfulness into your day-to-day interactions (with your children, yourself and others):
- Breathe 🧘♀️
Before you engage with your child—whether it’s picking them up from school or having a conversation—take a few deep breaths. Make your out breath longer than in your in breath. This short pause helps calm your mind and brings you fully into the moment. - Check in 💭
Ask yourself, “How am I feeling right now?” Notice any stress, frustration, or anxiety you may be carrying. Acknowledging your emotions allows you to set them aside, so you can show up for your child with openness and calm. See the emotion, picture yourself setting it aside for a minute or two. - Set an intention 💬
Decide how you want to approach the interaction. Will you simply listen? Setting an intention allows you to engage mindfully and respond thoughtfully, rather than reactively. Perhaps your intention will be “I want this to be a moment of connection, so I’ll focus on listening rather than jumping into fix-it mode.”
WHY THIS MATTERS
By practicing these simple steps, you’re not just improving your communication—you’re modelling mindfulness for your children. They learn by observing us, and when they see you being present and intentional, they are more likely to practice it themselves.
Give your children the gift of your presence. It’s the greatest gift we can offer in a world full of distractions. 🌸
