You may have heard of the “slow food” or “slow money” movements. What about bringing a little “slow parenting” into our lives?
Summer would be a natural time to start slowing down. We could take advantage of the paralysis that seizes our bodies on those afternoons the thermometer goes over 92. What a great time to go with the flow. Jump in a pool with the kids and savor the smell of the wet cement as you lay out to dry. Hang out in the shade with your kids at their lemonade stand- with lots of ice. Go ice skating.
Snuggle up in a big hammock and try adding in some “slow-reading” to your newly released “slow parenting” style. The “slow-reading” movement is about savoring the written word. Reading a big, thick Harry Potter book our loud might be just the ticket. Or check out Top 10 Summer Reading Lists For Kids and Teens: 2010.
If you want to explore more ideas for “slow parenting,” an excellent resource is Carl Honore’ who is the author of two books: The Power of Slow: Finding Balance and Fulfillment Beyond the Cult of Speed, and, more recently, Under Pressure: Rescuing Our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting.
- Slow parenting doesn’t have to be about doing everything very slowly (that would undue some of us active types). It just means paying attention and doing things at the right speed. I call this speed “The Speed of Life.” We all can find it. Just pay attention to what feels right.
- Slow parenting means giving kids the space and time to work out their own problems rather than stepping in a rescuing. This is good for your kids and good for you.
- Slow parenting means considering a vacation at home, camping in the back yard and going to a zoo concert. Exploring your own city, in the comfort of your own home and getting financial security to boot.
- Slow parenting means turning off your Black berry when you are with your kids so you can be 100% present (OK- you can check in every 30 minutes if you are sneaking off from work to be with the kids to begin with)
In our own Raising Our Sons and Raising Our Daughters’ books, we have a whole chapter devoted to “Making Time for Him/Her.” To help you get started on your slow parenting approach, use the articles, discussion questions, and ideas by sharing it with a friend or group of friends. Get your own parent discussion group going to keep the learning on-going.
Have fun exploring your version of “slow-parenting” and let us know what you did!
Hi! I’m Dr. Kathy. Welcome to my website! Although Family Empowerment Network is formally closed, we want to keep these resources available to you. Our belief is that parents are the most wise and intuitive about what is best for their children. However, parents sometimes need the support of effective, timeless, compassionate parenting information and strategies. On this website you will find our three parenting books on boys, girls, and kids’ social lives and ten years of monthly newsletter articles. In addition, a powerful, under-recognized resource is the support of other parents. Here you will find how to use our books as discussion guides for monthly self-led parenting groups. One last resource: I am still available to give talks and workshops.
