Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn

This is by far my favorite parenting book, although it is not a “typical” parenting book. Yes, it’s about parenting, but it’s also about so much more than parenting. While one can read the anecdotes and apply them to children, they can also be applied to our other relationships as well. From a parenting perspective, this book challenged me to try to see the world from our children’s perspective and to slow down and engage in the present moment. I was reminded of the dangers of labeling our children, either to them, or even to ourselves – that these labels are limiting. It helped me become more patient. It revitalized my commitment to persevering in a formal meditation practice.

If you are looking for a discipline book – a book that outlines specific childhood behaviors and how to eradicate them, then this is not the book for you. It’s not a “how to” book. It’s not black and white. But, in my opinion, it is so much more.

This book is so helpful and reassuring to parents. Parenting is a tough job. If you are a good parent you ask yourself, “How can I benefit my child the most?” Each child is so different and no method, no matter how good, works all the time or on every child. This book is so intelligent and gives parents a sound method to practice so that we parents can stay open, flexible and confident that we can relate in a beneficial way to own children.

I have loved this book since I first discovered it the year it was published. My sons were very young. I was/am still very passionate about being a Mom who celebrated who each of them is. And I found this book rich with guidance for being this kind of parent.

When a baby is born to friends or family, I send a collection of books to the child and THIS book to the parents. It’s what I do. And most recently, a young woman whom I adore gave birth to a daughter and I knew that she, too, would find great wisdom in this book.

There is a gift in each day of each stage of each lifetime. And I find great inspiration in this book over and over and over!

It’s worth reading. And re-reading. And giving as a gift also over and over!

I bought this book as a gift – as it was for my sister she didn’t mind that I read it myself to check it was okay before wrapping it up for her! I found the book very insightful and the balance between the two perspectives of this husband/wife writing team was fascinating. In common with all of us who have older children, there was a slight element of “rose tinted spectacles” about the baby / toddler years but I quite liked this – it’s important for those who are surviving the early years of parenting to know that, once survived, we remember those years fondly and nothing is really as important as it seemed it was then.

As a result of reading this book, my sister has rekindled an old interest in meditation and is sharing her own wisdom more knowingly with her boys. If you’re inclined towards living in the moment then this book encourages you to enjoy your parenting years while you’re surviving them instead of waiting til the rose tinted spectacles are awarded after 20 years or so. I was encouraged to discover that I implemented many of the Kabat-zinn’s philosophies instinctively over the years. It is common sense if you’re inclined towards Buddhist ways of thinking and being.

I also bought Mr KZ’s book “The mindful way through depression” so that I might better understand a friend who’s suffering – it comes with a fab cd which is suitable for everyone, depressed or not, and I’d highly recommend that too.

This book gives one courage to tap into innate insight for the challenges of parenting. Couple this with knowledge of Attachment developmental theory and one is well equipped to grow along with children in any setting. Myla and Jon have made a valuable contribution to childhood mental health.

I can’t remember how I was introduced to this book, likely through another one that I read.
I am the mother of 2 children including a 3 year old who has managed to consistently push my buttons.
I have read quite a few parenting books and must agree with an observation by the authors that whilst most books tell you or suggest WHAT to do with your kids they don’t tell you or help you to get past the anger and the hurt and the past not to mention the exhaustion of body and spirit that plague everyday interactions.

What I find particularly pleasing about this book is that it suggests that parenting is actually a spiritual practice which has the power to empower and transform the parent’s and children’s experience of this life.

There is acknowledgment of the pressures and the “pains” that are so real to parenting and suggestion that these may be the very gateway to enlightenment.

I would highly recommend this book to any parent who is on a quest…not for perfection… but for the deeper meaning that underlies the world’s noblest and most heroic job. Not “up in the sky” abstract kind of principles but REAL enough to start practicing right now.