Customer Reviews

Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn's mindful parenting book, Everyday Blessings, is so filled with love, hope, and peacefulness, that it stands out like a light above the sea of all the mechanical how-to-deal-with-your-kids books and cynical "kids versus parents" theories.

Like many parents, I spend a lot of time trying to do the "right" things as a parent, the things that will help my children grow to be whole adults. Also, like many parents, I would like to parent differently than my parents did. Where, then, does one turn for guidance?

Some "experts" say that children are born to "get as much as they can from their parents," that it's all a big game with winners and losers along the way. The parent-child relationship feels, to me, to be something more, something sacred and beautiful and worthy of my full attention and commitment. When I found Everyday Blessings I rejoiced.

This book mirrors and beautifully expands on my innermost beliefs about parenting. I read some passages through tears, out of relief that yes, there is another way; other times the tears came as I absorbed the beauty of the Kabat-Zinns' words and the love reflected in their interactions with their children. And of course, there were lots and lots of smiles.

I highly recommend this book as an antidote for all the mechanistic or cynical parenting books that are currently available.

Since becoming a new mother in February of 1999, I have read every parenting book I can get my hands on. This one was given to me as a gift and I have had a hard time putting it down. I have even written excerpts into my journal. Some of the words are so beautiful I find myself reading them out loud! I am a single Mom who struggles with finances and raising a little boy on my own. This book has helped me appreciate each moment with my son and find the good things in every day. It has truly changed my life and I plan to share it with other new mothers as well. I feel fortunate to have found it this early in my journey as a parent!

The Kabat-Zinns bring a fresh perspective to parenting, one that allows you and your children to be who you are, without preconceptions or restrictive expectations. It applies basic Zen precepts to child-rearing, such as living fully in the moment and acceptance. The Kabat-Zinns emphasize the need to respect the child's "sovereignty" (their word) which might be loosely translated as power or independence. I personally had a little difficulty with this concept as it seems to imply letting the little buggers get away with all sorts of infractions and deemphasizes the need to foster their consideration of others and behavioral limits. Overall, the authors can be vague and one wishes for a concrete directive for dealing with, for example, temper tantrums engendered by requests to eat broccoli. But the true test of a book on parenting is whether one can practice it and achieve results. In the brief time since I read it, I have noticed that I am more patient with, more attentive to, and more respectful of my 5 year old. Now, if I can just get him to eat his broccoli

As the parents of three children and experts on stress reduction, childbirth, and eco-issues (to name a few), this lovely couple has the ability and experience it takes to beautifully author this gentle book. Attached parents everywhere will deeply appreciate the support and encouragement for sharing a family bed, nursing toddlers, and lovingly respecting and responding to children's needs.

Every time I open this book I find refreshing insight that helps me maintain my gentle mothering focus and remember that my days of early parenting are indeed swiftly passing by. Thank you, Myla and Jon, for this permanent record of loving, attuned parenting that I pray my own child will someday joyfully follow.

This book resonates with a truth I've always known deep inside me but have not always been able to articulate--even to myself. The concept that each moment (the good and the bad) with our children is to be savored and the idea that the process of raising children offers such tremendous opportunities for growth (for them as well as for ourselves) IF we practice the art of "mindful parenting". I began underlining with the prologues and never stopped! I recommend this book whole-heartedly!!!!!

It has been such a blessing to me to have this book to read during this past year, my first year of parenthood. On those nights when I am up (again) rocking my baby to sleep and thinking I would collapse from exhaustion, bits of wisdom from my reading creep into my brain and I can spend my awake time peacefully, cherishing this time that will not last. I know someday I will have an active, engaged teenager who will no longer need my arms to go to sleep. Thank you Jon and Myla for giving me insight to truly appreciate this time. The beauty of this book is that as he grows and changes, the ideas in the book are universal and can be applied anytime, any age.

I keep this book next to my bed and dip into it whenever I feel like I need some perspective on the wonderful (but often frustrating) life of parenthood. I never really got into "Wherever You Go..." (maybe wasn't yet ready?), but this book feels really on the mark about the emotional, intellectual and spiritual issues that surface while raising a child.

When I read it for the first time several years ago, it revealed incredible insights to me, as a potential parent. However, after recently becoming a parent-in-fact, I am mindfully unearthing the bookshelves to find this hidden treasure again. With a beginners mind, I approach this work with my little "zen master". Already 14months old, he is teaching me the wisdom of what I have missed: "Laughter" and the life lesson of "bye bye". Having a second copy will be a welcomed addition to our journey.

This book reminds us to cherish our roles as parents and is a joy to read. Helps one to maintain perspective in stressful times, and helps one to appreciate all the little everyday joys that we sometimes may take for granted. A must read for new parents.

The Kabat-Zinns have written a unique book in as much as it is one of the very few that apply mindfulness to parenting. Those portions of the book, where this application is described, are very good. Afterall, Jon Kabat-Zinn has done a fair bit towards popularizing this form of meditative practice. However, the book falters when the authors advise about bringing up children and disciplinary issues. They fail to distinguish, in any practical way, between utter laissez faire and much-needed corrective action. The reader is left to his/her own devices to figure out a path that should be followed. Well, one really does not need a book to tell us that the path is unique and must be forged by each parent. The manner in which mindfulness can help in charting this path is poorly described.
Overall, I recommend this book only for a few chapters (approx. 75 pages) that are very good. The rest does nothing to improve parenting skills.