Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting (Paperback)

by Myla Kabat-zinn (Author), Jon Kabat-zinn (Author) "Parenting is one of the most challenging, demanding, and stressful jobs on the planet..." (more)
Key Phrases: mindful parenting, according sovereignty, bringing mindfulness, The Foundations of Mindful Parenting, Way of Seeing, Way of Being (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
In the rush, rush, rush of too-much-to-do-and-no-time-to-do-it, the all-important, nurturing aspects of parenthood can easily disappear. Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are and Myla Kabat-Zinn have collaborated on Everyday Blessings, a book that approaches parenting from the Zen Buddhist position of moment-to-moment awareness. It's a beautiful presentation and a thoughtful approach to mindful meditation that will help you slow down, enrich your life as a parent, and nourish the internal life of your children. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
The bestselling author of "Wherever You Go, There You Are" joins forces with his wife, Myla, in this groundbreaking new book about mindfulness in parenting children of all ages. Two-color throughout.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786883146
• ISBN-13: 978-0786883141
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,461 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An antidote for mechanistic parenting books, July 25, 2000

By	Vandy Shrader (Belmont, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

67 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zen parenting. Wherever you go, your kids are there too., September 16, 1997

By	[e-mail] (Bainbridge Island, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting (Hardcover)

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

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and real....Get this book!, June 1, 2002

By	Kym "An adventurous unschooling mama" (Roaming the US) - See all my reviews

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.