“Mom, tell them to surprise their kids—listen to them, have fun with them and
just spend time with them.” ~ Jonah Trudeau, age 9
overloaded with too much information. It can feel so good to be productive, and American culture rewards output. But we need to be mindful of balancing the harder task of ‘being’ with the seduction of doing, for we are at our most powerful when both of these energies are equal.
Where do we start? If we are not currently living in alignment with what matters most to us, we can stop what we’re doing and course-correct. We have to defi ne what simplicity looks like for us and can start by just slowing down. Do less to experience more. Unplug from technology. Try spending unscheduled, media-free time together. My family feels most nourished after weekends that we hardly did anything and just enjoyed connecting through simple pleasures.
What role does spirituality play in fostering a healthy family life?
I hear a lot of parents say that they used to think that spirituality was separate from parenting. Then they woke up to the idea that being a parent is a spiritual practice, maybe the most profound one they will ever have. Connecting to the sacred in everyday life yields nurturing gifts we can enjoy with our children, not separate from them.
What is the most valuable advice that you offer to parents? Pause to breathe in compassion and realize that our outer state is a refl ection of our inner state. It helps us release whatever we’re dealing with and reconnect with ourselves and loved ones.
For more information, visit
ReneeTrudeau.com.
Meredith Montgomery is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.
Five Reconnection Points
Be mindful of how and when the family uses technology. Put people fi rst.
Tap the healing power of nature together. Take hikes, picnics and explore a local greenbelt.
Love the ones you’re with. Schedule regular time together to make sure it happens.
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Defi ne your family’s values and honor them.
Slow down. Do less to experience more. Fewer choices and a lighter schedule can make for a happier family.
Source: Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life, by Renée Peterson Trudeau.
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