August 30, 2016

The Mindset of Being a Kind Parent




As a fellow writer, also trying to finish a novel, I can relate to a lot of Cara's thoughts, namely her ways of being kind to her professional self. But what was most eye-opening about our conversation was her own coined term of kindset. She has such a profound perspective on how to be kind as kids, as parents, and as human beings. I'm so lucky she decided to stop by here. Hope you enjoy her words as much as I did!

Tells us the kindest thing you’ve ever experienced as a parent?
My third child was born by emergency section. The doctors expected it because she was huge, but I didn't! I didn't even pack a hospital bag! My mother in law, who's afraid of flying, got straight on a plane and came to help us out, making sure I got plenty of time to rest and that I built up my iron levels (she knew I wouldn't eat red meat if I could get away with it).

Who/what inspires you to be kind? Explain why they/it inspires you to do so
My friend Louise was saying a while back that she tried to do something kind every day. She was explaining why she'd bought a plant for a neighbour. I thought that that was a nice way to be, but not especially practical. But I thought I'd try to perform a little act of kindness every day this year. Sometimes all I do is let a car come out of a junction where it's stuck, but I think it all counts


It’s important to be kind to others, but it’s just as important to be kind to yourself. What do you do (or plan on doing) to be kind to yourself (either as a mother, as a professional, or as a woman)?
I'm not very good at this, but I hurt my shoulder last September and it's still not better. I am taking steps to make it get better, and when that is done I intend to get stronger, so it's hopefully less likely to happen again!

Professionally, I like to take part in the #WhatI'mWriting linky over at Maddy's Writing Bubble: http://writingbubble.co.uk/ every month I talk about what I've done with my writing. Day by day it doesn't seem like I'm getting anywhere fast, but looked at monthly I'm coming on in leaps and bounds!

http://ctt.ec/L51Eb


It’s often said that kindness is easier said than done. As a parent, what valuable advice can you give for showing kindness to others (especially to those who may not seem like they want or deserve it)?
I think we can always show other people what kindness is. Quite often the kids who are mean to my kids seem to be those who maybe haven't been shown enough kindness themselves. I talk about that with my kids, and that makes it easier to understand and to forgive. Some people need more chances.

As a parent, what does kindness mean to you?
Kindness means avoiding judgments. Helping people to help themselves, and just keeping an eye on everyone else, being aware of what help people might need. It takes a village to bring up a child, and it's important to be a part of that village – helping others out, and accepting help yourself. Kindness also means bringing joy to people, for no reason other than it being a nice thing to do – baking cookies, sharing flowers. My kids especially enjoy hiding pennies to bring other people good luck. They love to check if a penny they hid before is still there, or if it's already brought someone luck.

What lesson do you want your kids to learn about kindness?
That it's not difficult to be kind, but it takes practice to get into the kindset – the mindset of being kind. Being self-centred is our default setting, but thinking of others is just a step away, and being kind to others brings all sorts of joy upon ourselves. Helps to make friends, swap favours, and bring delight.


Find Cara on: Oh We DoTwitter | Instagram | Facebook

August 25, 2016

Shine Blog Hop 111

Welcome friends and Happy Thursday!

The SHINE Blog Hop is a weekly link up of family friendly posts that have been posted on different websites around the internet. You can add your links (if you’re a blogger).

If you’re a non-blogger, then please feel free to visit the featured posts and/or visit any of the links that are of interest to you. Comments on this or any posts are always welcome!
Features from SHINE BLog Hop 94

We would love to connect with you on social media!

Hosts for the SHINE Blog Hop

Tiffany | A Touch of Grace can be found on:

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom can be found on:

Maria | Collecting Moments can be found on:

   {Facebook}  {Pinterest}  {Instagram}  {Google+}  {Twitter}

Feel free to grab one of our fancy buttons too!

<div align="center"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://thedeliberatemom.com" title="The Deliberate Mom" target="_blank"><img src="https://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j452/deliberatemom/SHINE225.jpg" alt="The SHINE Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


So without further delay, here are the top viewed posts from last week's SHINE Blog Hop:

August 18, 2016

Shine Blog Hop 110

Welcome friends and Happy Thursday!

The SHINE Blog Hop is a weekly link up of family friendly posts that have been posted on different websites around the internet.

You can add your links (if you’re a blogger). If you’re a non-blogger, then please feel free to visit the featured posts and/or visit any of the links that are of interest to you. Comments on this or any posts are always welcome!
Features from SHINE BLog Hop 94

We would love to connect with you on social media!

Hosts for the SHINE Blog Hop

Tiffany | A Touch of Grace can be found on:

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom can be found on:

Maria | Collecting Moments can be found on:

   {Facebook}  {Pinterest}  {Instagram}  {Google+}  {Twitter}

Feel free to grab one of our fancy buttons too!

<div align="center"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://thedeliberatemom.com" title="The Deliberate Mom" target="_blank"><img src="https://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j452/deliberatemom/SHINE225.jpg" alt="The SHINE Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So without further delay, here are the top viewed posts from last week's SHINE Blog Hop:

August 16, 2016

Showing Kindness and Expecting Nothing in Return



So excited to bring you Monica for this week's Parenthood and Kindness series. I love her perspective on kindness as a trait of innocence. It's such a powerful observation; one that rings true and a message I will carry with me for a lifetime. Thank you, Monica, for being so perceptive during our conversation and for bringing such a powerful outlook on why kindness should always be given for free.

Tells us the kindest thing you’ve ever experienced as a parent?
The kindest thing that stands out most for me took place during my pregnancy with my first child. I felt kindness from so many different people, including total strangers. People were suddenly so much kinder; opening doors, giving compliments, offering advice, sharing words of encouragement and even feeding me! I’ll never forget the day I walked into my school cafeteria (I was a teacher back then) to find a surprise baby shower. It really was so unexpected and I found it to be one of the kindest things an expecting mom could experience. Not because of the gifts, but just because they took the time to show they cared..

Who/what inspires you to be kind? Explain why they/it inspires you to do so
I would have to say my family inspires me to be kind. From my own parents, who’ve always led by example, to my own children who serve as daily reminder of why kindness is so important. Till this day, my parents are probably two of the kindest people I know. From them I’ve learned that a little bit of kindness can go a long way, even in situations when others are not so kind to you. As for my kids, their innocent little hearts are a daily reminder of the kind world they deserve to live in. By being kinder myself, I hope to keep that innocence alive for them.

It’s important to be kind to others, but it’s just as important to be kind to yourself. What do you do (or plan on doing) to be kind to yourself (either as a mother, as a professional, or as a woman)?
I’m learning to be kinder to myself by allowing myself grace on days when I don’t have it all together. I’m learning to take a step back and not let guilt set in for all the things that I should have accomplished today but didn’t. I’m also learning that taking a ‘ME’ day (when I leave the husband in charge and take a day away from the kids) is okay, and sometimes very needed. I take ‘ME’ days every now and then but I’m planning to schedule them more frequently, at least a couple of times a month

http://ctt.ec/U92c7


It’s often said that kindness is easier said than done. As a parent, what valuable advice can you give for showing kindness to others (especially to those who may not seem like they want or deserve it)?
I think the most important thing I always try to remember is to treat others the way I would want to be treated myself. No one is perfect and on some days we might not even deserve the kindness of others, but wouldn’t we feel much better if someone showed us a little kindness on our toughest days?

As a parent, what does kindness mean to you?
As a parent, kindness means innocence. I say that because I believe that when one is truly kind to another that kindness comes with innocent intentions. We’re not looking for something in return for our kindness. Our kindness is coming from a good place, without judgment, without expectations. That’s the innocence I see in my children when they show kindness to each other and it’s the kind of kindness that I hope they’ll continue to show others as they grow.

What lesson do you want your kids to learn about kindness?
I want them to learn that kindness is something we give without expecting something in return. I want my children to learn that showing kindness is important even when others are not kind to us. I want them to learn that their own kindness cannot only bring joy to others but that it can bring them joy as well. I want them to also learn that their kindness can make a difference and that no matter how small an act of kindness is, it can mean a lot to someone else. Sometimes a simple smile, a thank you or even holding a door open is enough to make a difference and shouldn’t be taken for granted


August 11, 2016

Shine Blog Hop 109

Welcome friends and Happy Thursday!

The SHINE Blog Hop is a weekly link up of family friendly posts that have been posted on different websites around the internet. You can add your links (if you’re a blogger).

If you’re a non-blogger, then please feel free to visit the featured posts and/or visit any of the links that are of interest to you. Comments on this or any posts are always welcome!
Features from SHINE BLog Hop 94

We would love to connect with you on social media!

Hosts for the SHINE Blog Hop

Tiffany | A Touch of Grace can be found on:

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom can be found on:

Maria | Collecting Moments can be found on:

   {Facebook}  {Pinterest}  {Instagram}  {Google+}  {Twitter}


Feel free to grab one of our fancy buttons too!

<div align="center"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://thedeliberatemom.com" title="The Deliberate Mom" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j452/deliberatemom/SHINE225.jpg" alt="The SHINE Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So without further delay, here are the top viewed posts from last week's SHINE Blog Hop:

August 4, 2016

Shine Blog Hop 108

Welcome friends and Happy Thursday!

The SHINE Blog Hop is a weekly link up of family friendly posts that have been posted on different websites around the internet. You can add your links (if you’re a blogger).

If you’re a non-blogger, then please feel free to visit the featured posts and/or visit any of the links that are of interest to you. Comments on this or any posts are always welcome!

Features from SHINE BLog Hop 94

We would love to connect with you on social media!

Hosts for the SHINE Blog Hop

Tiffany | A Touch of Grace can be found on:

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom can be found on:

Maria | Collecting Moments can be found on:

   {Facebook}  {Pinterest}  {Instagram}  {Google+}  {Twitter}

Feel free to grab one of our fancy buttons too!

<div align="center"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://thedeliberatemom.com" title="The Deliberate Mom" target="_blank"><img src="https://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j452/deliberatemom/SHINE225.jpg" alt="The SHINE Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So without further delay, here are the top viewed posts from last week's SHINE Blog Hop:

August 2, 2016

How Kindness Can Help Us Heal



Debbie's story is not an ordinary one. She is an advocate of a productive lifestyle, striving to give career women the tools to be healthy and stress-free. And she does this while being a survivor of a serious brain tumor. Her perspective on kindness is not only genuine and heartfelt, it's also invaluable--not just to us parents, but to anyone who's fighting a battle, or has been a warrior all their life.  Whether it's health related or otherwise, heed her advice on kindness: it can can help you heal! 
 
You’re a survivor of a serious brain tumor. How has your path to recovery changed your view point on kindness?
After months of limited activity (mainly compared to my lifestyle before surgery), my priorities changed. The idea of (self-)kindness as a way of life grew inside of me.

I learned the hard way the effects of stress and lack of self-love.* I made the decision that I was going to prevent that others went down the same way.

While at first self-kindness was the biggest lesson, going back to the roots of compassion and simple things played an important role in my inner-healing process, as well.

*Note: I don’t mean that stress was the cause of my tumor. Not even science can’t pinpoint its causes yet. However, my life quality was seriously damaged for a long time due to my neglecting myself as a human being and putting the “professional” above everything.

Who/what inspires you to be kind? Explain why they/it inspires you to do so.
My mother and her parents are role models of kindness to me.

In our home, everyone was equal and therefore, deserved the same portion of respect, love and attention.

If I had a friend over, we were always served together, no stars. I was always told how my attitude could make a difference and that everyone was supposed to do their part for the sake of life in society.
Love was the main drive of our actions and attitude.


It’s important to be kind to others, but it’s just as important to be kind to yourself. What do you do (or plan on doing) to be kind to yourself (as a professional or as a woman)?
I have a feeling that women in general have the tendency to put everyone before them. While it’s a beautiful and honorable thing to do, it should not be at the cost of their well-being.

It took me years to realize I could not solve everybody’s problems. (shocking, isn’t it? And I know I’m not alone)

It didn’t matter how many sleepless nights I had, how many meals I skipped or how overbooked I was, there were still things I couldn’t do despite all my best efforts.

Learning how to say “no” was the first step. I set up limits and made sure they were respected for my own sanity and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations.

The other thing was listening to my body. Instead of waiting until it shouted for help, I started to pay attention to its whispers. It was the difference between health and disease.
http://ctt.ec/7bcYx

It’s often said that kindness is easier said than done. What valuable advice can you give to those who are struggling to be kind to others or to themselves?
There’s not a perfect form of “kindness”. Kindness is not a race with a finish line. It doesn’t have a pre-defined shape or form. It’s the manifestation of inner feelings hospitality towards others.

For some, it may represent opening their homes to a person in need, for others, it can be the donation of food or money. There’s also taking care of a sick relative or caring grocery bags for an elderly person.

Many times, a smile is the absolute form of kindness, and it costs nothing and requires nothing in return. Saying good-morning to people we meet is also a way.

Instead of looking for a standard way to express kindness, we must open ourselves to the (small) opportunities presented to us on a daily basis. When we do so, it’s not difficult at all.


What’s the most important lesson parents can give their children about kindness?  
Leading by example is THE lesson not only parents but adults in general can give the little ones.

Children are like sponges absorbing the environment around them. Words have a secondary importance to them. Behavior, on the other hand, is what truly serves as guideline for the formation of their personality.

Parents must start by being kind to themselves and showing their children it doesn’t imply neglecting them.

A mother who gets involved in regular physical activities, for example, cannot be considered egoist. In fact, she’s planting the seeds to a healthy adult in their children.

They can also teach kids how to:
    be kind to their peers
    see the planet as their home
    respect the environment around them
    aim for the best without the cost of others & develop self respect



Find Debbie on her Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Periscope


Sharing my post here
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...