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:
Learning more about the physiology and psychology of stress
Practicing certain qualities of attention: patience, acceptance and curiosity
Recognising and interrupting the thoughts which are associated with painful emotions
Leaning skills in dealing with vs reacting to parenting stress
Discomfort x resistance = suffering
Acceptance + Confidence = Support
Home Practice
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