I am currently re-reading Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn. It’s a long book, but well worth the time. I came across this quote and wanted to share it:

“In the Zen tradition of meditation, people are fond of saying that the practice is nothing special. The practice is nothing special in the same way that being a mother or giving birth is nothing special, that being a father is nothing special, that being a farmer and bringing things forth from the land is nothing special, even that being alive is nothing special. That is all true in a way, but try telling that to a mother or a father or a farmer. ‘Nothing special’ also means ‘very special’. The utterly ordinary is utterly extraordinary. It all depends on how you see things, and whether you are willing to look deeply, and live by what you see and feel and know.”

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Parenting often takes a lot more stamina and skill than first-time parents realize. That’s why some parenting self-help book classics remain popular, even decades after they were first published.

Although the study of and practice of mindfulness are becoming increasingly popular in both scientific research and pop culture, there are relatively few resources online exploring the mindfulness of parenting in a consistent, accessible way.

Mindful Parenting, with Carla Naumburg, PhD, LICSW, will fill that gap. Carla is a clinical social worker, writer, and most importantly, a mother to two young daughters. You can learn more about her here.

The blog will explore mindfulness in the context of parenting, including Carla’s own personal stories, ideas for daily practices, and ways to teach mindfulness to children. The blog will also review relevant research and books. The blog may address broader issues from time to time, but always with a focus on mindfulness and parenting.

Please give Carla a warm Psych Central welcome!