I think of meditation as “non-reactivity training,” when we take a pause to observe the reaction we are having before taking an action.
Karah Pino, MAcOM
After allowing our initial, instinctive reaction to pass by, we then have more time to choose how to respond with intention and care.
When we practice observing our own reactions, we can better understand the nature of our instinctual patterns and can learn to respond thoughtfully and creatively. This is especially important as a parent.
The experience of being in a meditative state is one of calmness, peacefulness and a sense of well-being.
After meditating, this sense of well-being can continue for a half a day or more. The well-being can also fade at the next stressful event and becomes another opportunity to reset our experience with mindfulness.
After meditating regularly, you will find that you are able to regain your calm more and more easily after a stressful event.
You will also find that the feeling of peace gives your creative mind more space to find solutions to problems and this leads to less worry because you begin to trust in your ability to take a pause and make more and more thoughtful choices.
By modeling this approach as parents, we are teaching our children to do the same. It’s a win-win!

Practice Pausing
With Online Meditation Instruction and Guided Meditation Tracks
Learn more about my upcoming Adaptive Parenting Classes for parents struggling with the stress of raising a Special Needs Child.
Classes taught by Karah Pino, MAcOM