Always love your posts and this one is just plain charming. I recall those "stolen", appreciated moments with my own children when they were little. I don't regret one moment that created happy memories. That's what it's all about!

What a sweet post. I too get caught up in the madness of parenting and miss those simple moments sometimes. I need to slow down and enjoy it all a bit more. Thanks for sharing this Zen perspective. I love reading bedtime stories with my children, it's so sweet when they get sleepy while we read.

One thing that stuck with me from that workshop was when she said that Buddha means "awake." My 2yr old likes to have me pretend to sleep and then scream "wake up!" in my face : ) Parenting has definitely furthered my spiritual practice as my little one constantly helps wake me up to how glorious our lives are together, here in this moment.

I really like the notion of finding spirituality in parenting. It's all too easy to get wrapped up in everyday struggles with my kids. It's a tricky balance, isn't it? Thanks for yet another thought provoking article.

Oh Leigh -- you warm my heart with your thoughts. As a parent, working full time at the newspaper, my children often weren't given the patient attention they deserved. Now that I'm a grandmother, I relish every waking moment with my little grandson. In fact, he is the inspiration for my column tomorrow morning here on Patch. Thank you and bless you for sharing with us...

Leigh, my sad but true reminder is this: They'll never be smaller/younger/more innocent than they are on this day . . . it's what stops me into, like you, leaving those dirty dishes (or lunchboxes, as it was yesterday) and willing my brain to sear their little images into my mind for eternity. I spotted them sitting in the tall grass down by our big oak tree in daylight's last hour. Sometimes I find the difficult decision being whether or not to run for the camera, or to simply observe and trust my memory of the moment. I seem to get better at being mindful the older I (and my children) get and the more yoga I do (where Rumi is read regularly!)

This post makes me pause and think. I missed a lot today, but I did have one perfect, wonder filled moment. I was finishing dinner at the dinner table. The kids had already finished and were running around, playing. Whatever they were doing, it consumed them entirely. They both ran into the other room, their minds completely focused on play. Totally in the moment. I caught the flash of them running past me, and I felt a surge of joy.
Leigh, you wrote a beautiful article.

I loved this, Leigh.

I think parenting is all about embracing it. The more we run away from the life we have now and look for a life we HAD the harder it is to embrace. And the more we resist embracing it, the harder parenting will be.
I also think that parenting is supposed to be hard. Nothing that produces wonderful things (think childbirth, physical exertion, hard work etc) comes easy.

You are the most Zen Mama I know Leigh and I love hearing your words of wisdom.

This was such a sweet article.

I think I spent a lot of time in the dreamy field, actually, because I let myself. And I didn't feel guilty about going there. Which is probably why I enjoyed those parenting days so much.

=)

Leigh,
This is a nice reminder to stop and soak in all the little joys that come with parenthood because our little darlings grow up so quickly. Thank you.

I'm trying to figure out the logistics of checking e-mail while in the dreamy field. For me, it's often like a tennis match: Eyes on kids, eyes on computer, eyes on kids...

I loved this beautiful article ~ it made me ruminate on what takes me into the zen parenthood mindset instead of the rushing mentality....For us, it is getting out into nature, taking the kids and dogs to the woods, the creek, the river, the waterfalls, a field. Getting away from computers, housework, homework, rules about physical space, and confinement help to make time melt away as we enjoy just BEING with our natural surroundings and each other. With just the kids and the dogs reflecting pure joy, I can forget how society wants to see me and just be however I feel like being. Sometimes I am playing with them, sometimes seeking and observing with them, sometimes telling them stories or listening to their thoughts, sometimes I am quiet in my own thoughts while they explore their surroundings. The sound of water soothes my soul, and if I am far from it, the sunset in the sky opens up the gateways of my mind to the quiet infinity in me.

Another great article....have you started writing a book yet?