What is conscious parenting?

Conscious parenting is an approach to raising children that emphasises self-awareness, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. Here are some key principles of conscious parenting:

1. Self-awareness:
Conscious parenting starts with self-awareness. This means being aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and how they may affect your child. This involves recognising and addressing any unresolved issues or traumas that may be impacting their ability to parent effectively.

2. Mindfulness:
Conscious parenting involves being present and fully engaged with your child in the moment, without judgement or distraction. This involves observing your child’s behaviour without judgement or criticism and understanding that their behaviour is a reflection of their needs and emotions.

3. Emotional intelligence:
Conscious parenting emphasises the importance of emotional intelligence, both for parents and children. This means being aware of and managing your own emotions, and helping your child to do the same.

4. Connection:
Conscious parenting emphasises the importance of building a strong connection with your child. This involves active listening, empathy, and responding to your child’s needs in a supportive and loving way. It involves using language that is empathetic and respectful, and responding to your child’s behaviours in a way that promotes cooperation and understanding.

5. Positive discipline:
Conscious parenting emphasises the importance of positive discipline, which involves setting clear boundaries, structure and expectations, but also being responsive and empathetic when your child makes mistakes. It involves finding a balance between nurturing and supporting your child’s development and teaching them responsibility and accountability.

6. Empowerment:
Conscious parenting emphasises the importance of empowering your child to make their own choices and decisions, and supporting them in their own journey of self-discovery and growth.

Overall, conscious parenting is an approach that values mindfulness, connection, and emotional intelligence, and recognises that parenting is a journey of self-discovery and growth for both parents and children.