MINDFUL PARENTING GROUP

A safe space on a weekly basis for parents to slow down

“I wasn't given a handbook for parenting when I left the hospital with my two kids, and I wasn't given one during or after covid, either! With the reality of stressors parents and caregivers face in today's world, I’ve found Mindfulness as a parenting approach effective, and kind.” — Jessica

Our goal is to break down Mindfulness Parenting into very tangible skills that can be put into practice almost immediately. The overall focus will be to support parents to mindfully respond, rather than react, to interactions and situations that arise in everyday life with their children.

Parents will develop their self-awareness, and increase emotional resilience, calm, and harmony within family relationships. Group leaders provide education around concepts, guide members in practicing skills, and support parents in figuring out how to tailor the skills to particular situations to create moments of positive connection, even when big feelings are present. We hope to help you permit yourselves curiosity and compassion as you practice applying these skills to defuse struggles with your children.

What prompted you to start a parenting group?
Bryn: I have been working with children and families for over a decade. There is more stress on parents now than ever before, and less support. Having witnessed and personally experienced the stressors heaped on families by the pandemic, and witnessed the disruptions in development that many children are still trying to come back from, it felt really important to create safe places for parents to feel less alone, to normalize struggles, and even to question assumptions about parenting in order to find their way to their most resilient selves for themselves, their partners, and their children.

What do you hope that participants will get out of the group?

Jessica: My goal would be for parents to feel a greater sense of ease in their daily parenting. A grounded sense that they can help their children navigate all the emotions and do so in a way that honors their own parenting journey. A group provides a safe space to explore and discuss themes like responding instead of reacting, collaborating to problem-solve, and reframing ruptures as an opportunity for parents and caregivers to model conflict resolution and growth. Each family is unique and that diversity richens the conversation.

The ideal group member is....

Bryn: A parent or caregiver who wants to nurture a strong relationship with their child(ren), is interested in considering or experimenting with alternatives to their usual approach, is respectful of others' experiences and thoughts, and is willing to show up.

Jessica: A parent or caregiver who feels like they have been kicking the tires when it comes to parenting and have felt a bit burnt out at times. They are collaborative and open to trying something new and can respect varying viewpoints.