Confidence and Compassion: Confessions of a Mindful Parent

A mindful approach to parenting, grounded in confidence and compassion, can make a mammoth difference in creating a loving environment for our families.

Strategies and Support for Neurodiverse Families

Listen in on an intimate conversation between myself and one of my beloved private parent coaching clients. She's building confidence and compassion while raising her neurodivergent kid.

My client and I explored the transformative benefits she experienced by embracing mindful parenting through private coaching.

Witness transformation and growth in a parent-child bond through practical exercises and mutual understanding…

00:00 Introduction to Mindful Parenting
00:55 Starting the Coaching Journey
02:02 Setting Boundaries and Expectations
02:58 Self-Regulation and Empathy
04:55 Screen Time and Activities
09:58 Building Confidence and Self-Compassion
11:42 Collaborative Problem Solving
12:18 Celebrating Wins and Bonding
13:25 Final Reflections and Gratitude

Building Confidence in Neurodiverse Families

"It was about really putting it into practice," she reflected. That practice allowed her to be more present and intentional in her interactions with her child.

When beginning the coaching sessions, safety concerns were at the forefront. Finding a coach who teaches without judgment was crucial. The ability to speak freely and feel safe in the coaching relationship allowed her to explore self-compassion more deeply.

This episode delves into my client's goals, including safety, mindful spending, balancing screen time, fostering open communication, and developing self-compassion as a parent.

Discover:

• the power of a judgment-free coaching relationship.

• the simplicity of self-regulation techniques.

• the value of connecting deeply with your child.

Setting Boundaries with Compassion and Empathy

Defining boundaries as what a parent will not do, rather than what someone else cannot do, was empowering. This newfound clarity helped her set boundaries around screen time and finances with her neurodivergent kid more effectively. The ability to articulate and maintain these boundaries influenced her other relationships positively, too.

Self-regulation was an unspoken yet essential goal. "Grounding tools and co-regulation were vital in moments where things could escalate," she shared.

Clear communication about boundaries and expectations has become a cornerstone of her parenting approach. Giving her child agency in decisions, like turning off the TV themselves, proved more effective than mainstream top-down approaches.

In typical mindful parenting they might say, “If you're having a hard time turning off the TV, I will do it for you,” but with neurodivergent kids like ours, giving them time to get used to the idea, and empowering them, can be worth the wait.

"It's been fun, and we've had more genuine times together."

Recent wins, such as shared activities like karaoke, have brought her family joy and strengthened bonds. Fun and laughter help maintain the positive relationship as her child becomes a teen.

These shared experiences create a foundation of positive memories, which are so essential during difficult moments.

The most transformative aspect of the coaching was building confidence in her parenting abilities. "Just like the cliché says, if you don't have your oxygen mask on, you can't help your child with theirs," she noted.

The “I Love You” Exercise

One powerful exercise involved expressing love both to herself and her child during difficult moments. This practice helped build the connection and maintain the vital parent-child bond.

"Stopping and either saying the words or having the words felt in my eyes made a huge difference."

For any parent seeking to improve their connection with their child and navigate the challenges of parenting with confidence and compassion, mindful parent coaching can be a game-changer.

Embrace openness, let go of preconceived notions, and welcome the self-discovery available through this process. Mindful parent coaching not only helps in dealing with present challenges, but more importantly lays a solid foundation for a nurturing and supportive family environment as our kids grow up.

Explore the 3 ways I offer coaching:

1. Private Parent Coaching Package of 6 Sessions.

2. Founding Supporter 1-1 Voxer Coaching 3 month beta trial.

3. Community Monthly Mindful Parent Coaching for all paid subscribers.