Raelynn Maloney, Ph.D., is director of A Mindful Place in Littleton, Colorado, where she practices as a licensed Counseling Psychologist. As an author, educator, and counselor, Dr. Maloney provides guidance to parents and children struggling with a variety of relationship challenges.
Merging two important aspects of her life, counseling and parenting, Dr. Maloney is aware of how easily other aspects of life can interfere with our ability to be awake, aware, and connected parents. She is a mother of two, a student of her children and the families she works with, and a learner of wisdom from her own personal daily practice of mindful meditation. In this book, she shares what she has learned over the years about the value of developing a daily awareness practice as a parent.
Dr. Maloney offers workshops on a variety of relationship topics, including classes for parents, teachers, counselors, and other professionals who work with children. For information on attending a workshop or bringing Dr. Maloney to your area by sponsoring a workshop, visit her website at www.amindfulplace.com .
A Note of Thanks
The process of writing this book has impacted my life in more ways than I can describe. What began as an idea for a parenting book blossomed into a much more important endeavor. Waking Up is a first step toward sharing an important message with the world about the influence we as parents have on the kind of people our children become. A message to help all parents become mindful of the momentary opportunities in front of them to bring value into their childrens lives, and connection into parent-child relationships.
Writing this book has been a long process, and now that it is finally complete I honestly feel grateful for the interruptions and delays that slowed me down. The slowing down allowed me the opportunity to add content, exercises, and stories that were important to include in this book.
From the very beginning, many wonderful people extended their love, support, and encouragement to me. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of those who have helped me along the way.
To my friends, families, and clients, who have inspired and taught me so much of what transpires in parent-child relationships: I continue to learn from you and appreciate your openness and vulnerability in my presence.
To my many friends, family, and colleagues who were willing to read the manuscript and offer helpful feedback about the content, flow, and layout of the book: I appreciate the time and energy you spent making sure this book really resonates with the struggles we all experience as parents. A special thanks to you for the many conversations that helped deepen and clarify somany of the concepts in this book, especially the game-of-catch metaphor. Thank you for all you have taught me about being in relationship.
I am grateful also to, Anne Ranard, for her creative talent and help sketching a visual image of the MindfulWay path. And to my dear friend and artist, Lorianne Siomades, who helped create . I am so fortunate to have you both in my circle of friends. Thank you for lending your talent and creativity to me without hesitation. You have helped create a marka visual symbol that will be a reminder to parents everywhere to practice waking up and being mindful in the presence of their children.
To my longtime friend and fellow author Alan Wolfelt. I appreciate your unwavering encouragement of me as a writer, a mother, and a person who is actively working to grow and deepen. You made the usually complicated publishing process easy when I really needed easy. I will always be grateful for your wisdom, caring, and unconditional support.
To my daughters, Olivia and Tessa. Girls, mommy is finally done with the book. I appreciate your patience and your wisdom that you bring me every day through our interactions. You are both amazing people. I commit to you that I will continue to work on being the very best parent I can be, and in the process help you both become your best selves!
Thanks to each and every one of you!
Other Readings and Resources
On mindful parenting
Buddism for Mothers of Young Children (2009), by Sarah Napthali.
Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting (1993), by Myla Kabat-Zinn and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
The Mindful Child: How to Help Your Kids Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder, and More Compassionate (2010), by Susan Kaiser Greenland.
Mindful Parenting: Meditations, Verses, & Visualizations for a More Joyful Life (2006), by Scott Rogers.
The Parents Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents: A New Interpretation (1999), by William C. Martin.
The Tao of Motherhood (1997), by Vimala Schneider McClure.
The Tao of Parenting: The Ageless Wisdom of Taoism and the Art of Raising Children (1998), by Greta K. Nagel.
On child development
A Secure Base: Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development (1988/2005), by John Bowlby
The Children, the Challenge: The Classic Work on Improving Parent-Child Relations (1991), by Rudolf Dreikurs and Vicki Soltz.
The Hurried Child: Growing up Too Fast Too Soon (2001), by David Elkind.
The Irreducible Needs of Children: What Every Child Must Have to Grow, Learn, and Flourish (2001), by T. Berry Brazelton and Stanley I. Greenspan.
Joyful Parenting: Tuning Into Your Child (2000), by Sally Walsh.
The Magic Years: Understanding and Handling the Problems of Early Childhood (1996), by Selma H. Fraiberg.
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic (2006), by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.
Reviving Ophelia: Saving The Selves of Adolescent Girls (1995), by Mary Pipher and Ruth Ross.
On mindfulness
Contemplative Living (2000), by Joan Duncan Oliver.
Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Mindfulness in Plain English: Revised and Expanded Edition (1996), by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana.
Peace is Every Step (1992), by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living (1990), by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Your self from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions (2009), by Christopher K. Germer PhD and Sharon Salzberg.
The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems (2009), by Ronald D. Siegel.
The Miracle of Mindfulness (1999), by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Wherever You Go, There You Are (2005), by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Zen Mind Beginners Mind (2011), by Sunryu Suzuki.
On mindfulness research
The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and Its Role in Psychological Well-Being (2004), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 84, No 4, 822-848, by K.W. Brown and R.M. Ryan.
Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness by (2010), Susan L. Smalley, PhD and Diana Winston.
Mindfulness For Dummies (2010), by Shamash Alidina.
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-being (2007), by Daniel Siegel.
Parenting From the Inside Out (2003), by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell.
Find information from Naropa University on mindfulness at http://www.naropa.edu