Parenthood: The NEW ABC’s of Parenting

 A   Awesome 

• Not only are you awesome, but so is everyone else. Keep on being awesome on a daily basis and instead of engaging in finding peoples faults, practice daily finding the Awesomeness within those close to you.  Mantra: Today I recognize and celebrate the awesomeness of myself and others. All the Awesome I need is Within Me Now.

 B   Believe

• What you believe in colors your entire life perception. If you believe happiness is a choice, that you control your destiny, that mistakes are good as long as you learn from them, attitude matters and the world is a wonderful place to be in, it will be. If you believe the world is out to get you, that you are a victim of everyone else’s behavior,and that you need other people to be happy, you will be right. What you believe to be true, colors you.  Believe in your self. Believe in something greater than your self that you are a part of.   Mantra: Today I believe in me. I believe in others. I believe in the good, the kind, the beautiful, the amazing.  I believe in Love. All the belief I need is Within Me Now.

 C   Courage

• Courage will ALWAYS pay off. Courage is your friend and will help you and others throughout your entire life. It’s doing the right thing when it is difficult, it’s facing fear with confidence and being brave. Courage is actually gift to yourself, a result of courage is the gift of freedom.  A gift to your dreams your desires, and your purpose.  Mantra: Courage allows freedom. I am courageous in my actions and do the right thing for myself and others. All the Courage I need is Within Me Now.

 D  Delight

• Keep being delighted daily.  The feeling of delight is like a smile throughout your body. A simple pleasure. It can surprise you and even give you a chuckle.  There is no pressure in being delighted. You simply are in the moment and open to the possibility that something really cool is right by you, and you notice. See, smell and touch a flower. Feel the rain and wind on your face. Watch, pet or hold an animal. Daily delight sticks with you and feels great.  Mantra: I find delight in the world around me and simple pleasures. All the Delight I need is Within Me Now.

 E   Earth

• There is a huge disconnect between children (especially for those of us living in the city) and the earth that provides for them.  I remember as a kid getting “lost” in the woods in the morning, watching cows graze during the day, and playing on the rocks in the river at night.  I walked barefoot and laid in the dirt and gave thanks to the earth. This is not the norm for many who don’t know how their food is grown or where their water comes from and where it goes, or what a mud pie tastes like:). To really see the importance in taking care of the earth you must allow your children to experience earth.   Mantra: I actively grow my experience with the earth. I experience nature on a daily basis and give thanks.

 F   Freedom

•  We are free to be ourselves. To walk outside, to smell life, to touch it, taste it and feel it. We are free to say yes, or say no. To strive or just survive. We are free to create, we are free to be, we are free to love. Teaching our children the freedom in their lives and choices allows them to pursue their own hearts desire. Mantra: I embrace the freedom in my life. I allow others to embrace their own freedoms. All the Freedom I need is Within Me Now.

 G  Gratitude

•  Gratitude is an attitude. A daily, hourly and moment by moment practice for the happiest of people. It is a lifestyle and way of being. At any moment gratitude can catch you by surprise and brighten your day.  If you could be grateful for something right now, what would it be? Stop and think about about the things you have going for you and appreciate them. Asking this question every day at breakfast or dinner can bring increasing health and happiness to the whole family.  Mantra: I clearly see all there is to be grateful for in life. I acknowledge the blessings I have received in my life with gratitude.

 H   Health

• Your body, mind and spirit are all part of your health. When they all work together in harmony and balance you truly get to experience the pleasure of this human experience. Practicing all of the ABC’s listed here are keys to a healthy life. Mantra: I make healthy choices for my body, mind and spirit. I radiate health and wellness.

  I     Independence

• Provide your child with the belief that they are competent and capable of taking care of themselves. Offer them the guidance to find activities that are meaningful and satisfying to them. Give your children the freedom to experience life fully and learn its many important lessons. Mantra: I give my children the opportunity, means, and support to pursue their goals. I provide love, guidance, and encouragement in their efforts.

 J   Joy

• “Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”  Mother Teresa  Share your joy with your children. Share with them what makes you joyous. Shine joys light within your home and they too will find joy. Mantra: The joy Within Me Now shines brightly within me, my home and my community.”

 K  Kindness

•  Be kind to your kids, your friends and your family and your children will do the same. Take time in your day to consider the people in your life and the needs they may have. Simple acts of kindness can be huge learning moments for children.  Mantra: Kindness comes easy.

 L  Love

•  Love with all of your heart. Love without conditions. Open yourself up to loving your children fully. Allow them to love you fully. Love yourself.  Love and allow all parts of you to show up in your life. You are whole and you are love.  Mantra:  All the Love I Need Is Within Me Now.

 M  Meditate

• Teach them the life long gift of meditation. Set time aside each day to rest your mind. Meditation in children looks different than adults. There are several breathing, coloring, silent time and walking meditations available for children. When I started meditation two years ago my kids thought it was weird. Now my son often comes to me and asks if he can meditate with me.  Mantra: Meditation calms my body and clears my mind.

 N  Nature

•  Get dirty, get wet, get scratched, get tan, get colt, GET IN NATURE. Teach your kids to wake up before the sun and watch it rise. To stay up late and look at the stars twinkle. To listen to the roar of a city and the trickle of lake. To fully take advantage of the greatest FREE gift in life, Nature!

 O  One

•  We are all one. We are all connected. Every compliment they give to someone they give to themselves. Every insult they give to someone they give to themselves. Teach them that do one to others as you do to yourself is not just an idea.  Everything we do to someone else we do to ourselves.  We are all one.

 P  Passion

•  Do what you love, and encourage your children to do what they love. Success is often driven by a passion for what one is doing. Mantra: I love what I do and I do what I love.

 Q  Question

•  “Ask and you shall receive.” Help your children to be better thinkers and problem solvers by encouraging them to ask questions. Asking questions unlocks the imagination and problem solving skills and grows confidence in your child. Teach your children to have the confidence to question at home and at school and the modesty to accept criticism.