This is a very exciting moment for all of us behind the scenes as we launch the new online community. I want to personally welcome each one of you to our community and encourage you to explore, contribute, and share.
It is our mission and vision to enhance and grow this emotionally thriving and healthy community. There are many parent communities online and each one is useful in a different way. Our Community for Mindful Parenting is unique as it is less about giving advice and more about unfolding what we intuitively know as parents but often don’t take the time or have guidance to access. We are thrilled to explore and learn with you.
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Let me introduce myself. My name is Yaffa Maritz, a psychotherapist, and a mother of 3 grown children. My true passion is engaging with families of young kids. My passion led me to co-found the Listening Mothers™ program 15 years ago. The Listening Mothers™ program is a group program for mothers and their babies (age 0-12months) that helps foster healthy attachment.
Few of us ever live in the present. We are forever anticipating what is to come or remembering what has gone.”
The main focus of Reflective Parenting is to help parents understand the meaning of children’s behavior and how it impacts both their own and their children’s emotional state. Our belief is that with greater understanding, more empathy and less reactivity, a wealth of our own internal resources will make themselves available to us to use in creative ways when we need it most.
Listening Mothers™ and Reflective Parenting soon after spawned this online Community of Mindful Parenting for likeminded parents, like yourselves, who care about their own well being, the well being of their kids and the well being of the community at large!
Imagine a world where people treat each other with compassion and differences are embraced. Curiosity, kindness, and creativity guide us and a fine balance is achieved between a healthy sense of individual self and thriving communities. This is not a utopia. Research already shows us that it can be achieved one kid at a time.
However, it requires what we are building here together; a thoughtful and intentional community of parents who will support each other through learning and growing and by engaging in mindful discussion, sharing relevant resources, and having discussions with professionals. Together it will create a momentum for a kinder and gentler presence in this precious world!
We will not be able to do it without your active participation!
Please join us and share your thoughts, struggles, and resources. Please bring your comments and feedback, and let us know what guides you. Share with us what has been helpful and what has been a barrier to your growth as a parent and as an individual. Ask us questions for we have a great group of thoughtful professionals that are ready to engage with you. And finally, let us know what else you would like to see offered within the Community of Mindful Parenting.
Listening Mothers™ and Reflective Parenting; Discipline from the Heart programs are offered throughout the Puget Sound area in community centers and hospitals like Swedish.
Yaffa Maritz
Clinical Director, Listening Mothers™ , Reflective Parenting, The Community of Mindful Parenting.