Mindfulness in Parenting
Amel Ouji
Overview
Introduction
2
3
1
Child Development
4
Children with Autism
Parenting in COVID
Mindful/ Meta Parenting
Types of Parenting
Sensitive and Critical Periods
Emotional Regulation
Mindful parenting during pandemic
Raising children with autism
Introduction
Mindful Parenting is bringing present-moment awareness with openness or and a non-judging approach to raising children.
Meta- Parenting (Carol Kozak Hawk & George W. Holden) refers to parents being aware that they are parents and aware of their responsibilities
Outcomes:
Hawk, C. K., &; Holden, G. W. (2006). Meta-parenting: An initial investigation into a new parental social cognition construct. Parenting, 6(4), 321–342.
“Mindful parenting practices bring mindful attention to the parent-child relationship and interactions, much like mindfulness brings awareness to the relationship with one’s self.”
Myers, D. G., Dewall, N. C., Worth Publishers. (2019). Exploring psychology in modules, Eleventh Edition (9781319104177): Macmillan Learning. Exploring psychology in modules, Eleventh Edition | Macmillan Learning for Instructors
Types of Parenting
Authoritarian
Permissive
Negligent
Authoritative
Childhood Development
Sensitive Periods refer to a “limited time window in development during which the effects of experience on the brain are unusually strong…”. (Front, 2013, para. 5)
Critical Periods are special class of sensitive periods where behaviors and neural pathways cannot develop properly if appropriate stimulation is not received during a limited period of time (Front, 2013, para. 4).
With a stable foundation, children can mature effectively and parents can continue to maintain a relationship with their child.
Parenting in the Pandemic
Study
Results
This study aimed to explore mothers’ self-compassion was associated with mother–infant bonding and the use of mindfulness to mediated parenting stress.
Fernandes, D. V., Canavarro, M. C., & Moreira, H. (2021). The role of mothers’ self‐compassion on mother–infant bonding during the covid‐19 pandemic. Infant Mental Health Journal.
Mindful Parenting for Children with Autism
A 2017 study on the impact of mindful parenting with children with autism, showed that through an 8-week mindful parenting group program, parenting stress levels decreased and trait mindfulness was increased.
During the 5-week follow up session mindfulness stress based reduction exercises “increased social responsiveness after the training.”.
Effects of the mindfulness program showed “parents had increased levels of mindfulness (in general and in parenting), decreased levels of stress, and slight increases in quality of life, as well as a slight reduction in dysfunctional parenting styles.”
Group training in mindfulness is an effective means of helping reduce parenting stresses but also show improvements of child behaviors.
Conclusion
Acceptance
Embrace the moment
Non-Judgement
Not good or bad
Openness
Give space
Compassion
For parent and child
Mindful parenting or Meta-parenting provides children the home environment to develop the cognitive skills required for them to develop enabling parents to be in the present moment which directly influences a well balanced parent-child relationship
Thanks!
Any Questions?
Resources
Resources continued