Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting

by Myla Kabat-Zinn and Jon Kabat-Zinn

Book Overview

The bestselling author of the million-copy bestseller Wherever You Go, There You Are and Full Catastrophe Living joins forces with his wife, Myla, in this revised edition of their groundbreaking book... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786883146
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 394 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.0" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

Helps to keep life with my son in perspective

I keep this book next to my bed and dip into it whenever I feel like I need some perspective on the wonderful (but often frustrating) life of parenthood. I never really got into "Wherever You Go..." (maybe wasn't yet ready?), but this book feels really on the mark about the emotional, intellectual and spiritual issues that surface while raising a child.

Beautiful and real....Get this book!

As the parents of three children and experts on stress reduction, childbirth, and eco-issues (to name a few), this lovely couple has the ability and experience it takes to beautifully author this gentle book. Attached parents everywhere will deeply appreciate the support and encouragement for sharing a family bed, nursing toddlers, and lovingly respecting and responding to children's needs. Every time I open this book I find refreshing insight that helps me maintain my gentle mothering focus and remember that my days of early parenting are indeed swiftly passing by. Thank you, Myla and Jon, for this permanent record of loving, attuned parenting that I pray my own child will someday joyfully follow.

A Definite Re-Read!

When I read it for the first time several years ago, it revealed incredible insights to me, as a potential parent. However, after recently becoming a parent-in-fact, I am mindfully unearthing the bookshelves to find this hidden treasure again. With a beginners mind, I approach this work with my little "zen master". Already 14months old, he is teaching me the wisdom of what I have missed: "Laughter" and the life lesson of "bye bye". Having a second copy will be a welcomed addition to our journey.

An antidote for mechanistic parenting books

Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn's mindful parenting book, Everyday Blessings, is so filled with love, hope, and peacefulness, that it stands out like a light above the sea of all the mechanical how-to-deal-with-your-kids books and cynical "kids versus parents" theories. Like many parents, I spend a lot of time trying to do the "right" things as a parent, the things that will help my children grow to be whole adults. Also, like many parents, I would like to parent differently than my parents did. Where, then, does one turn for guidance?Some "experts" say that children are born to "get as much as they can from their parents," that it's all a big game with winners and losers along the way. The parent-child relationship feels, to me, to be something more, something sacred and beautiful and worthy of my full attention and commitment. When I found Everyday Blessings I rejoiced. This book mirrors and beautifully expands on my innermost beliefs about parenting. I read some passages through tears, out of relief that yes, there is another way; other times the tears came as I absorbed the beauty of the Kabat-Zinns' words and the love reflected in their interactions with their children. And of course, there were lots and lots of smiles.I highly recommend this book as an antidote for all the mechanistic or cynical parenting books that are currently available.

the best parenting book I have ever read

Since becoming a new mother in February of 1999, I have read every parenting book I can get my hands on. This one was given to me as a gift and I have had a hard time putting it down. I have even written excerpts into my journal. Some of the words are so beautiful I find myself reading them out loud! I am a single Mom who struggles with finances and raising a little boy on my own. This book has helped me appreciate each moment with my son and find the good things in every day. It has truly changed my life and I plan to share it with other new mothers as well. I feel fortunate to have found it this early in my journey as a parent!