Mindful Parenting: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence In Children

FamilyParenting

  • Author Arun Sapkota
  • Published December 18, 2023
  • Word count 1,032

Hello, dear parents and caregivers! As we navigate the incredible journey of raising children, there’s a powerful tool at our disposal – mindful parenting. It’s not just about nurturing little ones; it’s about helping them understand and manage their emotions, a key to building strong emotional intelligence. Join us as we explore the world of mindful parenting and discover how it can enrich your child’s emotional development.

The Marvel of Mindful Parenting

Imagine this: parenting isn’t just about feeding, clothing, and teaching your child the ABCs. It’s also about helping them recognize and understand their feelings. That’s where mindful parenting comes in. It’s like being the emotional GPS for your child, guiding them through the ups and downs of life with care and understanding.

Let us know about Mindful parenting. Mindfulness is being in the present moment and being aware of what we are doing now. Being mindful is letting go of past shame and guilty. So, mindful parenting is being aware of one’s own feelings and emotions as well as being aware of a child’s emotions, needs and feelings. We don’t react but respond to their emotions.

Key Factors in Mindful Parenting:

  1. Noticing our own feelings when we are in an argument with a child

Contemplate your recent contention or a disappointing circumstance with your youngster. What sentiments are set off? Are you enraged, embarrassed, or ashamed? Attempt to encounter your inclination or trigger as a wave – going back and forth. Make an effort not to impede or stop the emotion. Try not to drive it away. Don’t criticise or dismiss it. Don’t try to suppress the emotion. Avoid clinging to it. Try not to make it greater than it is now. You are not your emotion and you don’t need to follow up on the emotion. Simply be there while fully aware of it. Advise yourself that you don’t have to fault yourself or your kid for what occurred.

  1. Pausing sometimes before responding while in anger.

Being able to locate that calm space in the midst of the moment is both the most difficult and crucial aspect of mindfulness. We work on finding this space by concentrating on our body and breath since feelings show themselves as changes in body or breath. At the point when we slow down and become aware of our body and breath, there is a physiological change that diminishes our reflexive reactions and expands the capacities of our prefrontal cortex.

Each of them leads to a more calm mind where you can track down the space to sit with the emotions. At the point when we can stop, we can encounter the feelings as sensations in our body without fueling them by focusing on the trigger. There, we can remind ourselves to inhale and take our thoughts back to the current second, and afterward decide to answer how we need to and not react because we are out of control.

3.Listening carefully to the child viewpoints too.

Child won’t always able to deal with their sentiments. Child are as yet figuring out how to regulate (really, so are most grown-ups) and have unexpected needs in comparison to you . Their conduct will provoke you on occasion, and that is not a problem.

The issue is when grown-ups start behaving like children, as well. Instead, if we are able to remain mindful, which means that we observe our feelings without reacting to them, we can serve as role models for emotional regulation, and our children will learn from our example.

What Is Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

Before we dive into mindful parenting, let’s talk about emotional intelligence. EQ is like the secret sauce of life. It’s about being aware of your feelings, managing them, and understanding how they affect others. For children, developing EQ is like having a superpower that helps them in school, friendships, and life overall.

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence with Mindful Parenting

  1. Embrace Feelings: Picture this: your child is having a meltdown because they can’t find their favorite toy. Instead of dismissing their feelings, encourage them to express what they’re experiencing. It’s like saying, “I see you, and it’s okay to feel this way.” This builds trust and emotional awareness.

  2. Be a Role Model:

Children will learn by seeing us. They are like raw mud. Show them how you deal with your emotions. Share your feelings and coping strategies. It’s like teaching them emotional ABCs by example.

  1. Practice Mindfulness Together:

Imagine setting aside a few minutes each day for a mindfulness exercise with your child. It could be deep breathing, mindful coloring, or simply being present. This helps both you and your child stay centered and aware of your feelings.

  1. Teach Problem-Solving:

Life comes with challenges. Instead of solving every problem for your child, involve them in finding solutions. Ask questions like, “How can we make this better?” It’s like giving them a compass for navigating emotional storms.

Starting Your Mindful Parenting Journey

Ready to embark on the path of mindful parenting? Lets start:

Listen Actively:

When your child talks about their day or feelings, give them your full attention. Make them feel that, they matters to you.

Use Feelings Words:

Encourage your child to name their emotions. It’s like giving them a vocabulary to express what’s going on inside.

Set Boundaries with Love:

Let your child know that some actions have consequences, but always connect it with understanding. It’s like saying, we love them but they have to learn by themselves by the choices they had made.

Wrapping Up Your Mindful Parenting Journey

Mindful parenting isn’t about being a perfect parent – it’s about being a present parent. It’s a journey of learning and growing together. As you nurture emotional intelligence in your child, you’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.

So, the next time your child has a big feeling, remember that you’re their emotional guide. By embracing emotions, being a role model, practicing mindfulness, and teaching problem-solving, you’re laying the foundation for a more emotionally aware and resilient child

Arun Sapkota

Meditation Practitioner, MBA, Mechanical Engineer

arunsapkota4444@gmail.com

https://journeywithseekers.com/mindful-parenting/

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