An Introduction to Mindfulness for Busy Parents: Get Your FREE eBook
Written by Kristi Yeh, LMFT
Mindfulness is a broad term that can sometimes feel intimidating to people, including parents. I felt the same way when I walked into my first class in my counseling psychology program over a decade ago. During the introductory course for counseling, I was lucky enough to have Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D as my professor. Shapiro is a mindfulness expert and author, and she infused mindfulness and meditation into all of the courses she taught. In being asked to try something I might not have on my own during Shapiro’s classes, I ended up taking all of her advanced mindfulness courses over the next two years. The consistent practice of mindfulness during graduate school has stayed with me professional and personally as a mother, friend and human.
I created this free ebook as a thank you to all of my mindfulness teachers that have shaped my life over the years. I’m so grateful to my teachers because I am passionate about sharing accessible ways to bring more mindfulness to our lives as parents, lives that often feel overwhelming.
In this ebook you will find definitions of mindfulness from leaders in the field, such as John Kabat-Zinn.
"Kabat-Zinn has defined mindfulness meditation as 'the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally'. By focusing on the breath, the idea is to cultivate attention on the body and mind as it is moment to moment, and so help with pain, both physical and emotional."
As Kabat-Zinn emphasizes the way in which we pay attention, I have also included in the ebook the twelve mindfulness qualities from his books including the quality of non-judgemental awareness. Many of the teens, adults, parents and educators I have worked with over the years valued looking at the qualities and picking one to focus on for the hour, day, or week.
The 13-Page Introduction to Mindfulness eBook Includes:
The definition of mindfulness
12 mindfulness qualities
12 informal mindfulness practices
3 things to try when you notice your mind is busy
Mindfulness quotes
Curated mindfulness resources
Many people often give up on meditation and mindfulness because they think that if they are not "zen" all the time, then they must be doing it wrong. Everyone has a busy mind, and we live in a busy world. If you are feeling discouraged, try to remember that mindfulness is about being present with what is happening in the moment. Mindfulness is not about trying to change the moment to be more of what you think mindfulness should be. Letting go of perfectionism in our pursuit of mindfulness is a freeing thing!
This resource can be used by parents or mental health professionals to deepen their mindfulness practice. Feel free to share this resource with anyone you think might want to learn more about mindfulness and meditation.
“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves.” ~ Jack Kornfield
Cheers to a more mindful and connected human experience!
More Mindfulness Resources and Inspiration:
Full Catastrophe Living by John Kabat-Zinn
Good Morning, I Love You by Shauna Shapiro
Breathe, Empower, Achieve by Shonda Moralis
Stay Woke by Michael Willams
Radiant Rest by Tracee Stanley
Stand Tall Like a Mountain by Suzy Reading
No Time Like the Present by Jack Kornfield
The 5-Minute Meditation Journal by Miranda Lee
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps
Free Meditation Recordings
7 Self-Compassion Meditations by Kristin Neff
20 Meditation Recordings by Christopher Germer
Online Meditation Resources from The Awake Network
Guided Meditations by Tara Brach
