Unconscious parenting is often a result of being unaware of the emotional baggage you are carrying as a parent. Tsabary explains, “To enter a conscious state of parenting and of awareness means to understand that the emotional imprints that we inherited from our parents is going to directly impact and bear upon the parental relationship that we have with our child.” Parents need to gain a better perspective of their emotional baggage and how it is affecting their children on a daily basis.

Being mindful of your children requires patience and focus. “The first step is to connect to our children and all of their feelings,” says psychotherapist Julie Wright, MFT. “We need to take time to really see them and hear them, and feel their feelings and let them know that we understand them.” Wright encourages parents to show greater empathy for their children and focus on what will help their child in that moment. Oftentimes, all your children need is for you to listen to them.

Psychotherapist Tina Bryson, PhD explains how conscious parents are the “architects” of their children’s brains. “When parents provide nurturing experiences over and over and they meet their children’s needs, not perfectly but consistently and repeatedly, then children’s brains get wired to expect that that’s how relationships work,” says Bryson. Parents don’t need to be perfect, but they need to be consistent. Repeatedly being there for your children will help them develop that same trait within themselves.

Do you still need advice on becoming a more conscious parent? Join us for our Google Hangout, “The Gift of Presence: How to Become A More Conscious Parent,” tomorrow, September 23rd, at 1:30PM PST. We will be answering your questions live! Click here to RSVP for the Hangout!