How to Embrace Slowness in Your Parenting

We live in a busy and fast-paced world. Most of us weren’t taught how to slow down and be more present, so we bulldoze through our lives chasing achievements, to-do lists, and things we think we “should” be doing. Through this, we model to our kids that they should “fit in” to the busy nature of life.

Learning to be intentional in this fast-paced environment is nearly impossible because it requires slowing down, becoming aware of our habitual reaction patterns, and consciously choosing how to respond in each moment.

Here’s a question for you: How much of your life do you get to enjoy and savor?

Mindfulness asks us to slow down and become more aware of our experience from moment to moment. By practicing mindfulness, we become more aware of all that exists around us—from the details of our environment that we often pass by without thought to the subtleties of communication we are so used to ignoring to the specifics of our internal states we usually neglect or avoid.

When we commit to practicing mindfulness as parents, we begin to show our kids that it is OKAY to slow down even when the world is fast. We model that it is OKAY to make mistakes and to pause, reflect, and grow. We get to start parenting from a place of intentional choice based on values rather than subconscious generational patterning.

Inviting Slowness & Stillness into Your Day

Here is a practice to try: Slow it Down

Find somewhere seated or lying down you can be for a few minutes.

Don’t have time? Notice the temptation to blow through this invitation to keep up with the busy.

Take a few minutes to practice slowing down.

Start with slowing down your breath.

Notice what arises for you as you try this. Maybe you hear reasons why you can’t, maybe your mind is racing, or maybe it feels surprisingly okay. Whatever it is, just notice it without needing to criticize, judge, or make it “bad.”

Using your breath as a focus point, see how slow you can get in your mind and body.

How much stillness can you allow?

Not as a competition but as an honest reflection of how much slowness you can allow today.

From the stillness, say out loud to yourself: “I am here.”

Listen to anything your body or mind has to say.

If you practice this slowing down a few minutes a day, you will begin to cultivate more mindfulness. What a precious gift—both for you and your children.