{"id":5255,"date":"2023-07-26T05:27:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T05:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsmooh.com\/?p=5255"},"modified":"2024-05-07T15:23:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T15:23:03","slug":"parenthood-conscious-parenting-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsmooh.com\/parenthood-conscious-parenting-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Conscious Parenting Habits, Plus Tips for Moms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Being mindful of who you are as a parent benefits your child and supports your own mental health and well-being. And that\u2019s precisely why conscious parenting habits are quickly taking the parenting world by storm. If you aren\u2019t already familiar with this parenting style, conscious parenting is a connection-based approach that prioritizes relationships and mental health over parental dominance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggie Holland<\/a>, MA, MHP, LMHC, tells us that developing conscious parenting habits means focusing on parental mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConscious parents monitor their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to make thoughtful and emotionally-centered decisions when responding to their children,\u201d says Holland. \u201cThis parenting philosophy aims to prevent negative parenting patterns by encouraging curiosity and mutual collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to learn how to implement conscious parenting habits in your own life? Keep scrolling. Today\u2019s article delves into the benefits of conscious parenting, as well as tips for practicing it on a daily basis for consistent mindful parenting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is Conscious Parenting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Conscious parenting habits encourage parents to become more mindful of their own reactions, self-beliefs, and internalized messages. By recognizing their selfhood, conscious parents are better able to understand how their own physical and mental well-being affects their relationships with their children and their child’s feelings. Additionally, they see beyond behavior and understand the \u2018why\u2019 behind their children\u2019s actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some people are under the impression that conscious parenting is permissive parenting, that couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Conscious parents are well aware of the importance of healthy boundaries. However, they don\u2019t enforce them or lead in an authoritative way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of addressing a child\u2019s behavior at the surface level, conscious parents go one step further and focus on \u201cbuilding a healthy parent-child relationship by remaining self-aware, collaborative, and understanding,\u201d says Holland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that reason, conscious parenting requires ample self-reflection, as parents are constantly striving to understand their own learned and genetic behaviors, as well as child development to become a better parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benefits of Conscious Parenting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular benefits of conscious parenting is the fact that it allows children to have a childhood experience that differs from that of their parents. Conscious parents are mindful of how their contributions influence their child\u2019s understanding of themselves. And it benefits in many different ways as a result:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Strengthen the Parent-Child Bond<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Attachment theory tells us that\u00a0primary caregivers<\/a>\u00a0who are available and responsive to a child\u2019s needs help them develop a sense of security. This style of parenting offers a safe foundation for your child to explore and learn about the world. Additionally, this parenting style lets your child know that they can come to you with the good and the bad (and everything in between),\u00a0promoting\u00a0<\/a>secure attachment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create an Emotionally Resilient Child<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because conscious parents help their children regulate their emotions as positive role models, they enter adulthood confident in their ability to self-regulate and\u00a0navigate emotional hurdles<\/a>. Similarly, children learn by their parent\u2019s example, and parents who notice and regulate their own emotions and their own issues provide their children with a blueprint to do it themselves versus throwing temper tantrums.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Develop Healthy Communication Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re regularly checking in with your own emotional space, you have a greater ability to talk through and navigate your child\u2019s problems with them. As you can imagine, this routine teaches your young children that you\u2019re someone\u00a0they can trust<\/a>\u2013which makes all aspects of parenting much easier.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Combat Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Numerous studies have revealed the\u00a0health benefits<\/a>\u00a0of mindfulness. And when moms make an effort to parent consciously, they experience lower levels of stress and anxiety, as well as reduced blood pressure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Foster Mutual Respect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children\u00a0learn how to behave<\/a>\u00a0by watching their parents. And when parents are mindful of their actions, their children tend to follow suit. If a parent speaks in a lowered voice\u2014using thoughtful and respectful language\u2014their child will mimic that behavior. As you can imagine, this forges a relationship that is grounded in mutual respect versus the results from an authoritative parenting style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Conscious Parenting Habits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Conscious parenting begins with intentionality and compassion. But from there, where do you go to develop conscious parenting skills? If you\u2019re unsure how to begin conscious parenting, cultivating habits that prioritize the connection you have with your child is the first step to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Develop Non-Violent Communication Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conflict<\/a> is a natural, healthy component of human relationships. (And just because you engage in conscious parenting work doesn\u2019t mean it goes away.) However, conscious parents don\u2019t take their anger or resentment out on their children, and they try to avoid passing on any stressors or unresolved trauma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does that look like? Well, instead of blaming and shaming, conscious parents display empathy and offer positive discipline techniques. Whenever they make a mistake (because conscious parents are still human, believe it or not), they demonstrate healthy conflict management techniques and utilize effective communication skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s an example:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of yelling at your child for spilling their dinner plate, pause, take a breath, and remember that accidents happen. Maybe tell your child that you\u2019re frustrated, but you know it was an accident. Ask them to grab a rag. Then, wipe the mess up together.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prioritize Your Own Well-Being<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned, conscious parents are attuned to their internal consciousness and prioritize their overall well-being. Doing so ensures they have the emotional capacity to meet their children where they\u2019re at and approach situations with compassion and understanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One study<\/a> suggests that parents with poor health display negative parenting styles and experience increased disruptive behavior from their children. That\u2019s why maintaining your physical and emotional health is a necessary component of a conscious parent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need some inspiration, here are examples of positive habits that conscious parents can start implementing (and role modeling for their children) on a daily basis: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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