45. What to do when Parenting is “A Lot”

The Mindful Healers Podcast with Dr. Jessie Mahoney and Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang

Life as a parent can be overwhelming. You are not alone in having moments when it feels like a lot or too much.

Mindfulness and self-compassion offer relief in navigating the difficult patches.

We are all more than capable of encountering whatever is happening in life, even when it feels overwhelming. And asking for help, resting, and connecting helps ease our way through the rough patches.

When in the throes of difficulty, our habitual old patterns of reaction tend to arise.

In this episode, we share a few stories of recent happenings in our own lives, and the judgement and catastrophizing that all too easily arose. The stories we tell ourselves are often tainted with shame and judgement, and not based in fact.

In the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course, the formula pain x resistance = suffering is taught. By mindfully turning towards the difficulty without judgement, and by feeling the pain rather than resisting it, suffering is lessened.

Self-compassion is also key to finding relief and a more easeful path forward.

When falling into old patterns, could you ask yourself?

What would love do?

What's in my control?

What can I do to help?

Nourishing oneself might include:

Taking breaks, deep breaths, and/or practicing yoga

Taking a bath, a walk, eating healing food, journaling, purchasing flowers for yourself, or having a mindful cup of tea.

What if you simply acknowledged that life and parenting are difficult right now?

What if you reached out, asked for help, connected with loved ones, and/or got professional help?

“Self-compassion is about being kind and understanding towards ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate rather than rejecting and blaming ourselves, or beating ourselves up.” Kristin Neff, PhD

If you are struggling with parenting feeling like “a lot,” or just want to find more connection, love and ease on the journey join Jessie for her Mindful Parenting Intensive- Parent with Presence. It starts Nov 4th and spots are limited.

https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/parenting-with-presence-intensive-details

https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/parent-with-presence