Everyday Blessings

Everyday Blessings by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting

The bestselling author of the million-copy bestseller Wherever You Go, There You Are and Full Catastrophe Living joins forces with his wife, Myla, in this revised edition of their groundbreaking book about mindfulness in parenting children of all ages. Updated with new material -- including an all new introduction and expanded practices in the epilogue -- Everyday Blessings remains one of the few books on parenting that embraces the emotional, intuitive, and deeply personal experience of being a parent, applying the groundbreaking "mind/body connection" expertise from global mindfulness leader, Jon Kabat-Zinn and his wife, Myla Kabat-Zinn.

Mindfulness is a way of living and there is increasing scientific evidence of its value for optimal health and well-being. A new field in psychology is devoted to mindful parenting, and mindfulness is being increasingly integrated into K-12 education. There has never been a better time for cultivating greater mindfulness in parenting and in family life.

Recommended Retail Price: $30

Contents
PART ONE The Danger and the Promise The Challenge of Parenting What Is Mindful Parenting? How Can I Do This?
PART TWO Sir Gawain and the Loathely Lady: The Story Holds the Key Sir Gawain and the Loathely Lady
PART THREE The Foundations of Mindful Parenting 47 Sovereignty 49 Empathy 63 Acceptance 72
PART FOUR Mindfulness: A Way of Seeing 87 Parenting Is the Full Catastrophe Live-in Zen Masters An Eighteen-Year. Retreat The Importance of Practice Breathing Practice As Cultivation in Our Thinking Free Wit Discernment Versus Judging Formal Practice Letters to a young Girl Interested 7 The Stillness Between Two Waves
PART FIVE Away of Being Pregnancy Birth Well-being Nourishment Soul. Food The Family Bed PART SIX Resonances, Attunement, and Presence Resonances Attunement Touching Toddlers Tires Presence jack and the Beanstalk Bedtime Gathas and Blessings Healing Moments Who's the Parent, Who's the Child Family Values Good Consumers or Healthy Children? 237 Body Madness and the Yearning for Intimacy 242. Media Madness 2.46 Balance 254 PART EIGHT Realities Boys Pond Hockey Wilderness Camping Softball Breaks Through the Gloom Girls Tatterhood—"I Will Go As I Am" Advocacy, Assertiveness, Accountability Mindfulness in the Classroom—Getting to Know Yourself in School PART NINE Limits and Openings Expectations Surrender Limits and Openings Minding Our Own Business It's Always Your Move Branch Points PART TEN Darkness and Light Impermanence The River of Buried Grief Hanging by a Thread Losing It No Guarantees Lost It's Never Too Late

Review "Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn are pioneers in cultivating the inner clarity that creates the parental presence our children of any age need to become securely attached. Their personal and professional insights in this accessible, story-filled classic volume enable us to become the kind of parent we want to be-open, attuned, flexible, and compassionate to our children and to ourselves. This revised and updated edition of the original source for 'mindful parenting' gives us new guidance to create the life of love our children deserve. Soak in their words of wisdom and everyone will benefit!"--Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain "The pages of this book invite us to discover a way of parenting in the present moment that helps us see our children for who they are and ourselves with greater awareness. Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn show us a wise path that leads to deep connection, empathy, and love both for our children and ourselves. Their book is a treasure, especially for these fast-paced, accelerating times when many of us seek more balance and wholeness in our lives and relationships."--Nancy Carlsson-Paige, author of Taking Back Childhood: A Proven Roadmap for Raising Confident, Creative, Compassionate Kids. "The Kabat-Zinns' book is a gift and a blessing, filled with wise counsel for stepping wholeheartedly into the parenting journey. I urge parents to take refuge in this beautiful book, and to be inspired to embrace each day as an opportunity for learning, growing, and loving more deeply."--Susan Stiffelman, author of Parenting without Power Struggles: Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids While Staying Cool, Calm, and Connected