As a contributing author in the Mindful Parenting eBundle sale I received a host of questions & answers to think through, and I thought it would be fun to share my responses with you:
If I could give just one piece of advice to a parent, it would be:
Listen to your intuition above what you read in books or hear elsewhere. Books are a fabulous resource, but the only one who can truly know what your little one needs in any given moment or situation is you! So be your own expert and know that the best you have to offer is what your child needs most of all.
What prompted me to write Mindset for Moms:
My early years of motherhood were quite tumultuous. I slowly realized that my own negative thought patterns were the cause of much of my dissatisfaction. It was through challenging some of those self-defeating beliefs that I began to grow as a mom and as a woman. When I altered my thinking, many of my hidden hopes and ambitions began to appear in both subtle and incredible ways (stories I share in the book).
I wanted to share that process with others. The idea for the ebook came while I was taking a bath--as so many great ideas seem to--I rushed out and started furiously scribbling thoughts down (after putting on clothes!).
Do I think that the Internet has been a blessing, a curse, or something in between for parents?
The Internet is definitely a blessing for parents, but like any tool it can be a curse if we don't use it well. It can bring us closer to our families or take us further away. It can connect us with like-minded mothers or disconnect us from ourselves. It's all in the boundaries we draw around it and the role we allow it to play within our family life.
What was the most inspiring parenting book I've ever read?
How to Really Parent Your Child by Ross Campbell. I read this at a pivotal time when I was wrestling with many conflicting ideas from friends, books, and experts about parenting, especially when it came to discipline.
This book helped me begin to see the concept of discipline not in terms of punishment, but in the context of strengthening relationships.
How do I balance parenting with pursuing your other passions and goals?
My writing is so important to me that I now give my earliest hour of the day to it, so I know I've accomplished at least a bit toward that passion before my day has even begun.
I try to keep in mind as well that this season with my children, though it feels long at times, is always changing. It doesn't last that long when you look at the long-term perspective. Reminding myself of that helps me to treasure these valuable, special, never-to-return days with them while also not feeling guilty for making time for myself.
