Slow Parenting

This term, "slow parenting" is one that I am currently researching; and, I like what I have found so far! I will have to check out Carl Honore's books, “The Power of Slow: Finding Balance and Fulfillment Beyond the Cult of Speed,” and, more recently, “Under Pressure: Rescuing Our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting." I found his books referenced in an article written by Lisa Belkin, for the NY Times (http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/what-is-slow-parenting/).

In the same article, Honore defines his concept that has been coined, "slow parenting":

"“Slow” in this context does not mean doing everything at a snail’s pace. It means doing everything at the right speed. That implies quality over quantity; real and meaningful human connections; being present and in the moment.

To me, Slow parenting is about bringing balance into the home. Children need to strive and struggle and stretch themselves, but that does not mean childhood should be a race. Slow parents give their children plenty of time and space to explore the world on their own terms. They keep the family schedule under control so that everyone has enough downtime to rest, reflect and just hang out together. They accept that bending over backwards to give children the best of everything may not always be the best policy. Slow parenting means allowing our children to work out who they are rather than what we want them to be.

Slow parents understand that childrearing should not be a cross between a competitive sport and product-development. It is not a project; it’s a journey. Slow parenting is about giving kids lots of love and attention with no conditions attached."

My husband and I decided a long time ago that we wanted our lives (and our children's lives) to be a collection of experiences, as opposed to material things. In changing our focus from "keeping up with the Joneses" to "setting our own pace", we have been better able to appreciate the little things and live more fully in each moment. This too makes us more conscious of our actions on the surrounding environment, be it a park, a home, other people, etc... Everything we do and say has an impact on everyone and everything around us. We just need to pay attention.

It seems like we may have already begun, "slow parenting." We will strive to do the best we can and enable our son (and soon our other child) to discover the world and themselves at their own pace. It is a beautiful thing.