Conscious Parenting: Top 3 Key Elements & Benefits
“Conscious parenting” is about being present and aware of your children’s needs and your own responses to them at any given moment. It’s about being in the moment and not letting your ego get in the way. Our children can teach us quite a bit about living in the present moment and being our best selves. They remind us to be real, express ourselves, and believe in ourselves.
What is Conscious Parenting?
Instead of focusing on the child, conscious parenting shifts the focus to the parent. Parents here check their own insecurities, stresses, unmet needs, and shortcomings instead of placing any blame on their kids. When it comes to parenting, being conscious means striving to become more self-aware, rather than trying to fix your child. Children are independent beings who can teach parents a lot about themselves. By being conscious of this, parents can build a stronger relationship with their children.
As a parent, it’s only natural to want the best for your children. But sometimes, in our attempt to give our children the best life possible, we can inadvertently put pressure on them to live up to our expectations. New York-based clinical psychologist, author, and public speaker Dr. Shefali Tsabary suggests that by seriously considering our family baggage and personal conditioning, we can begin to let go of our own checklists for how life should be done.
Dr. Tsabary believes that by releasing these checklists, we free ourselves from forcing beliefs on our children. When this occurs, children become free to develop into their authentic selves. Conscious parenting is thought to be beneficial for preventing identity crises in children later in life. This parenting style is based on the idea of being accepting and supportive of children as they are, rather than trying to force them into a particular mold. This can create closer bonds between children and parents, and supporters of conscious parenting believe that it is a more effective way of raising children than traditional methods which rely on authority and conditioning.
Key Principles of Conscious Parenting
#1 View Your Child As A Unique Individual
Kids come into the world with their own joys, sorrows, and quirks. By paying attention to them, we can learn what they need and want, which is often different from what we want for them. In this way, we can get to know them as individuals and help them grow into their best selves.
#2 Don’t Just Hear Your Child; Listen
It can be easy to get preoccupied or tune out when our kids are talking to us. They may seem like they’re constantly asking questions or talking, but it’s important to take the time to listen to them. By listening, we’re teaching them many important things. They feel truly heard, they feel valued and respected; it boosts their self-esteem. Like the fact that they can talk to us, that we’re interested in hearing what they have to say, and that their thoughts and opinions matter. They also learn, by example, how to be a good listener.
#3 Parenting Is a Two-Way Street
Parenting requires taking actions that build trust and open the lines of communication with your child, in order to create a strong bond between the two of you. It is vital to remember that parenting is not something you do to your child, but rather a series of interactions that you have with them. By making an effort to foster a healthy and supportive relationship with your child, you can create a strong foundation for their future.
Benefits of Conscious Parenting
#1 It Strengthens The Parent-Child Relationship
Conscious parenting helps open more avenues of communication between the parent and the child. Parents who accept their children as individuals develop a certain level of respect for their children. This helps children form healthy relationship habits that will help them in their lives ahead. For example, instead of banning tech devices in the home, parents set limits around technology together and abide by the ground rules together. This helps children learn how to use technology responsibly
#2 It Makes Parents More Mindful
Because mindfulness emphasizes awareness and choice, parents become more mindful of their actions and their child. This is powerful because it allows parents to be less stressed and happier with their parenting choices. When parents become mindful and their children start to pick up on it, it creates an environment for growth and positivity. Parents become more open with kids, and the kids feel safe to be themselves.
#3 It Enhances the Child’s Emotional Intelligence
Conscious parenting means being aware of your triggers and encouraging your kids to do the same. This can be challenging work, but it leads to increased self-awareness, compassion, and a better sense of control in parents. As an added benefit, parents who model emotional regulation raise less aggressive, less stressed kids. Kids with a higher emotional quotient (EQ) can manage their negative emotions better. Understanding personal feelings also help kids communicate effectively. Being empathetic and present for your children allows them to understand their emotions better.
Parenting with awareness and mindfulness can help create a stronger connection with your children. Listening to them and focusing on long-term goals are important aspects of this parenting style. You may behave the way you want your child to be and talk with courtesy to maintain a peaceful environment. Boosting your child’s abilities and sticking to daily routines can make this parenting style more successful.
At Kosh, we guide parents in becoming conscious and mindful parents through conscious parenting courses, masterclasses, and much more. Our Conscious Parenting Coaches have been certified by Dr. Shefali Tsabary’s institute. Avail a 1:1 personalized counseling session with them today!
