Five Paths to Holistic Parenting
by Nancy Massotto
Parenting is a challenging, exhilarating, and enlightening experience. Parenting holistically means recognizing our connectedness, being present and conscious of our choices, and trusting in ourselves. Here are five basic paths to holistic parenting. While these are not all-inclusive, they represent a strong current of parenting and health philosophies many holistic parents share.
1.
Be Informed. Being informed in all of your parenting and health choices is a cornerstone of whole living. Investigate your options, educate yourself on the benefits as well as the risks of your parenting, healthcare, and lifestyle choices and do not be afraid to defy conventional wisdom in order to find solutions that best serve your family. Living mindfully requires conscious thinking and deliberation. Broaden your horizons by seeking alternative views and entertaining diversity.
Be Informed. Being informed in all of your parenting and health choices is a cornerstone of whole living. Investigate your options, educate yourself on the benefits as well as the risks of your parenting, healthcare, and lifestyle choices and do not be afraid to defy conventional wisdom in order to find solutions that best serve your family. Living mindfully requires conscious thinking and deliberation. Broaden your horizons by seeking alternative views and entertaining diversity.2.Cultivate Trust. Living holistically starts with a shift in your perspective away from fear and uncertainty and toward trust in yourself, your body, and nature’s healing power. As women, we need to trust our bodies to birth and feed our children, just as we need to heed our bodies’ warnings in times of stress and anxiety. Cultivating this trust is challenging when we are embedded in a culture that encourages placing responsibility for our health and well being in the hands of “the experts”. And yet finding this trust is ultimately a source of empowerment.
Cultivate Trust. Living holistically starts with a shift in your perspective away from fear and uncertainty and toward trust in yourself, your body, and nature’s healing power. As women, we need to trust our bodies to birth and feed our children, just as we need to heed our bodies’ warnings in times of stress and anxiety. Cultivating this trust is challenging when we are embedded in a culture that encourages placing responsibility for our health and well being in the hands of “the experts”. And yet finding this trust is ultimately a source of empowerment.3.Tune Into Your Mother (or Father) Wisdom. Deep within yourself lies your inner wisdom and intuition, as well as your spiritual voice. As a parent you are bombarded by advice from well-meaning friends, family members, and even complete strangers on how best to raise your family. Hundreds of parenting books, television programs, and talk shows beckon and make it challenging to hear our own wisdom from within. Quiet your mind, listen to your own voice, and learn to trust your instincts. What feels right to you may not be the most traveled path but often will best serve your family. Learn to trust this wisdom
Tune Into Your Mother (or Father) Wisdom. Deep within yourself lies your inner wisdom and intuition, as well as your spiritual voice. As a parent you are bombarded by advice from well-meaning friends, family members, and even complete strangers on how best to raise your family. Hundreds of parenting books, television programs, and talk shows beckon and make it challenging to hear our own wisdom from within. Quiet your mind, listen to your own voice, and learn to trust your instincts. What feels right to you may not be the most traveled path but often will best serve your family. Learn to trust this wisdom4.Go Natural. The preponderance of chemicals in our food, homes, and environment is wreaking havoc on our health and the health of our children. Eliminate artificial ingredients, preservatives, and pesticides from your food. Buy organic, locally grown, whole foods whenever possible. Drink clean and pure water, without dangerous additives. Look for safe, non-toxic products to clean and care for your home, as well as natural fibers and sustainably-harvest woods for furnishings.
Go Natural. The preponderance of chemicals in our food, homes, and environment is wreaking havoc on our health and the health of our children. Eliminate artificial ingredients, preservatives, and pesticides from your food. Buy organic, locally grown, whole foods whenever possible. Drink clean and pure water, without dangerous additives. Look for safe, non-toxic products to clean and care for your home, as well as natural fibers and sustainably-harvest woods for furnishings. 5.Live Lightly on the Earth. Living holistically requires recognition of the interconnectedness of our choices – how we eat, how we live, what we buy. Will your life leave a positive imprint on the earth? Consider how you can tread lightly by supporting industries that nurture the earth (such as organic farming), incorporating eco-friendly practices into your life (such as recycling), and giving back of yourself through volunteer work and charitable donations.
Live Lightly on the Earth. Living holistically requires recognition of the interconnectedness of our choices – how we eat, how we live, what we buy. Will your life leave a positive imprint on the earth? Consider how you can tread lightly by supporting industries that nurture the earth (such as organic farming), incorporating eco-friendly practices into your life (such as recycling), and giving back of yourself through volunteer work and charitable donations.Nancy Massotto is the Executive Director of the Holistic Moms Network
a non-profit support and resource network for parents interested in natural living and holistic parenting. She is a mom, a natural health advocate, holds a Ph.D. in political science and women’s issues, and has dedicated her life to education and community building.
For more information on holistic living and parenting, please visit us at www.holisticmoms.org or contact us by email (info@holisticmoms.org) or phone (877-HOL-MOMS).
