Week 4 - Responding vs Reacting to Parenting Stress

“Between the stimulus and the response, there is a space, and in that space lies our power and our freedom”

Viktor Frankl

This week you will be:

1. Learning more about the physiology and psychology of stress

2. Practicing certain qualities of attention: patience, acceptance and curiosity

3. Recognising and interrupting the thoughts which are associated with painful emotions

4. Leaning skills in dealing with vs reacting to parenting stress

Discomfort x resistance = suffering

Acceptance + Confidence = Support

Home Practice

For this Week’s Meditation (and all other recordings) -

Please see MBSR Recordings / Password: MBSR_HSR

Formal Mindfulness Practice: alternate each day or do both

  • Alternate sitting practice and movement practice each day

  • 10-15 mins per day with attention to sounds and thoughts

Mindful Parenting Practice:

  • Bring attention to moments of stress reactivity without trying to change them. And bring awareness to moments of feeling stuck, blocked or numbed if this arises during the week.

  • Fill in the Parental Stress Calendar and take a Breathing Space.

Neurodivergent Education

  • Review handouts on the Nervous System and Polyvagal Theory

Autobiographical Writing

Complete the autobiographical writing ahead of next week’s class