Carla Naumburg - Parenting in the Present Moment: How to Stay Focused on What Really Matters

Advance Praise

Want to shush that inner voice that keeps telling you youre parenting all wrong? This book helps parents get out of that rut and into the moment, not a moment too soon!

Lenore Skenazy, Free-Range Kids

Dr. Naumburg is a wise and insightful mother who can only talk the talk because she has walked the walk of mindful parenting. This book brings a fresh and potentially transformative message to modern parents. Parenting in the Present Moment is a must-have for the library of any parent who is sick and tired of being sick and tired with the way they have been parenting and want to truly change the way they treat their children and themselves for the benefit of the entire family.

Mayim Bailik, PhD, Mayims Vegan Table, actress, neuroscientist

In todays high-pressure parenting climate, its refreshing to read a message like Carlas that assures us that raising children is not about what we do, or dont do, perfectly. Instead, as she shows us, its a constant practice, and this simple shift in mindset will help parents to understand how to stay present, connected and grounded. Reading this lovely, warm book is like having a cup of tea with a compassionate and wise friend.

Christine Gross-Loh, Parenting Without Borders

Thanks to Carla Naumburgs wonderfully engaging tone, honest and relatable personal anecdotes, and tips that are both simple to remember and to implement, Parenting in the Present Moment gave me the confidence and hope that I could finally be the more present parent I have always struggled (yet dreamed) to be.

The Orange Rhino, Sheila McCraith, Yell Less, Love More

Full of wise insights, wonderful storytelling and practical guidance, this book should be on every parents reading list.

Elisha Goldstein, PhD, The Now Effect

Be here, now. Even if Carla Naumburg just wrote it over and over, Bart-Simpson-style, for 200 pages, this would be a deeply useful and inspiring book. But of course she offers so much more: practical advice, from-the-trenches reporting, and compassionate wisdom about how to raise a family intentionally. Or, as she puts it, mindfullyattentive to all the moments, and to the fact that the moments are all we ever have.

Catherine Newman, Waiting for Birdy

Carla Naumburg reminds us of the great value that exists in our relationships with our children, and the importance of taking care of ourselves while we juggle all that life throws our way. She guides us to be present in these relationships, both with others and ourselves, and provides a humorous and honest approach to raising children.

Kristen Race, PhD, Mindful Parenting

Honest and disarming, Carla Naumburgs Parenting in the Present Moment is a must-read for all parents. Grounded throughout by Naumburgs poignant personal anecdotes, the book is infused with useful tips, moving quotes, and powerful practices. The ultimate message? Parenting is hard, mindfulness can help.

Brian Leaf, Misadventures of a Parenting Yogi

Being mindful seems like just another thing parents have to master, along with pureeing their own baby food and teaching a toddler the basics of French. But Carla Naumburg doesnt approach it that way. In her wry, accepting way, she tries to instill in parents a basic attitude which allows them to make each parenting dayno matter how they choose to spend that daymore calm and fulfilling. Whatever kind of parent you choose to be, Naumburgs book will help you do it with more grace.

Hanna Rosin, The End of Men

Humorous, heartfelt, and most of all, honest, Naumburg makes clear that parenting is about progress through practice rather than some kind of perfection we can achieve.

Christopher Willard, PhD, Childs Mind

Im not normally a fan of parenting booksI always seem to end up more defeated than inspired by the end. Parenting in the Present Moment, however, spoke to meDr. Naumburg has a been there, done that way of communicating her message which didnt make me feel like a failure and, instead left me wanting to make some positive changes in my life. Imagine that!

Jill Smokler, Confessions of a Scary Mommy

Wise, tender, honest, sweet, smart, practical, engaging... what a beautiful book, a book every parent should read. Dr. Naumburg writes as Carla, a fellow flawed parent, and opens her arms to parents and children everywhere. This book will help all parents who read it, and become a blessing in the lives of their children.

Edward Hallowel, MD, The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness

Each day we are inundated with distractions. From the noise of the outside world to the dialogue in our head, moments of meaningful human connection are becoming harder and harder to grasp. Parenting in the Present Moment reminds us that we have the ability to step off the merry-go-round of chaos and immerse ourselves in the present moment. Through realistic examples and down-to-earth language, Naumburg shows us we have everything we need to respond to our children and ourselves with compassion and kindness. Parenting in the Present Moment offers a highly-achievable approach to parenting that can bring peace and connection back to the most challenging and distracted times of life.

Rachel Macy Stafford, Hands Free Mama

Parenting in the Present Moment: How to Stay Focused on What Really Matters

DEDICATION

This book is for Frieda and Rose, who gave me the gifts of motherhood and my journey to mindfulness, and for Josh, whose support has been unwavering.

Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.

BREN BROWN

Practice acceptance on yourself so you can be kinder with your child. Practice nonjudgmental awareness of your life so you can save your loved ones from the cruelty of your own impossible standards and your hard-hearted disappointment. Practice greater faith and lesser blame.

KAREN MAEZEN MILLER

Contents

OK, GIRLS. LETS TALK. There has been a lot of whining and crying in our house lately, and its been pretty hard for me. So, today were going to work on using our words when we need something. Mommys going to work on it, and I need you both to work on it, too.

The girls looked at me with big eyes, and I could see that my older daughters lip was starting to quiver. I was using my serious voice, and they knew it.

I noticed their faces, and realized that the tone I was using was a bit harsher than I had intended. Breathe, I told myself. Breathe. I took a deep breath and went on. And if you dont, Im probably going to snap at you. A lot! I began snapping my hands open and closed as I reached out to tickle my daughters, ages 5 and 4. They started giggling and rolling around on the couch, trying to wiggle away from my snapping lobster claws.

To say that there had been a lot of whining and crying in our house was a bit of an understatement. It had been a rough few days; my older daughter had fractured her arm during a recent vacation, my younger daughter was having a hard time because her sister was getting so much attention, I was behind on some major work deadlines, my husbands job was changing dramatically (and we didnt know how it would turn out), and two of my extended family members were dealing with medical and financial crises. We were all exhausted, and none of us had been managing our stress and fatigue particularly well.