I want to be honest about the difficulties I have being peaceful. Sometimes I feel like peaceful parenting looks a lot like yelling in our house. But then, I remember to apply the dharma duct-tape, and try again.
Because ultimately, what I value is connection —
with myself, the deep-down truth within;
with my children, in a way that gives them the freedom to blossom;
with my husband, for the love and respect we share, how we inspire and crack each other up;
and with YOU, who’ve come here to read.
W e l c o m e !
Please leave a comment to let me know you’ve been here — on this post or anywhere else. You can also email me at mamaomblog @ gmail dot com.
When I say peaceful parenting, I mean non-punitive and non-coercive parenting; parenting that responds to children’s needs without giving up our own; parenting that places respect between parent and child as central to our lives; and parenting that recognizes that the connection between parent and child relies on the heart of the parent.
The word peaceful resonates with me because it implies a sense of “rightness” in the world. It’s peaceful, not because it’s quiet (though that would be nice!), but because the members of our family are coexisting in harmony and balance.
Plus, it sounds good with Mama-Om, don’t you think?
What Rom and I try for day-to-day (and fall short of many days) is…
listening to ourselves, being honest, and working toward inner clarity
When Orlando was one year old, I read a book called The Natural Child by Jan Hunt. Among other things, she wrote a few short articles about unschooling.
That was the beginning of an idea that is now our reality.
I began my meditation practice in early 2004, when my first child, Orlando, was five months old. After visiting a few local communities, I took a six-week introductory course at Seattle Insight Meditation Society. I have continued studying in the insight tradition, but also read widely.
Throughout the years, I have explored ways to bring mindfulness and the dharma into my daily life with two small children.
Compassion “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being…”
Here is my sliver of the internet, where I share the salty-sweet of raising two young boys (ages 9 and 6). I write about mindfulness, homeschooling, and our everyday shenanigans...
Join me in the ever-evolving flow of relating peacefully — to ourselves and others. Read more.
I'd love to hear from you...
stacy [at] sweetsky [dot] net
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