EP 279: Mindfulness, Parenting, and Emotional Intelligence

As parents, it’s very easy to get swept up in the stress as we juggle all our responsibilities. And this has never been more true than these days of quarantine! This is one way in which mindfulness practices can deeply benefit our parenting. As we practice mindfulness we develop the skill of non-judging awareness that allows us to recognize our own emotions and to regulate them in a healthy manner. And when our kids see us regulate our emotions, they learn how to regulate their own emotions. In this sense, practicing mindfulness as parents allows us to teach our children the vital life skill of emotional intelligence. This skill, perhaps more than any other skill we can teach them, will serve them in every area of their lives as they grow into adolescence and adulthood. Let me know if you’d like to learn some ridiculously simple practices to get yourself started.