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In addition to relaxing ourselves, can we also let go of the feelings of guilt, shame, and judgement?  As
parents and caregivers of young children, we all know that it is the hardest, most-demanding job on earth.  
The time and emotional commitment needed to be a parent is beyond compare.  So, can we agree that we
are all doing the best we can do with what we have been given and where we are at right now.? Is there
really a need to compare breastfeeding to bottle-feeding or stay at home moms with working moms,
vaccinated kids with non-vaccinated or spanking with time-outs?  If there's one thing I am sure of, it's that
I do not have all the answers and I can only do what's right (right now) for me.  I hope we can all learn to be
more supportive of parents when we see each other at the park or the grocery store and instead of judging
or snickering, send a little love, offer a helping hand, and let each other know that we are not alone in this.

Recently I read The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents, by Deepak Chopra and found it so inspiring and
refreshing.  What a different world we would live in if the principles in this book were taught to each and
every child.  The book gives concrete examples of word tracks and suggested dialog to use with your child.  
The Seven Laws are:

1.  Everything is possible.

2.  If you want to get something, give it.

3.  When you make a choice, you change the future.

4.   Don't say no, go with the flow.

5.  Every time you wish or want, you plant a seed.

6.  Enjoy the journey.

7.  You are here for a reason.

It is a wonderful read for parents of children of any age.  See an excerpt here.

Another great spiritual teacher for me has been Eckhart Tolle.  His most famous books are "The Power of Now
" and "A New Earth", but I've most enjoyed the audio book, "The Flowering of Human Consciosness" which
put into perspective how our minds work for or against us and had some excellent points about teaching
children to be more "present".

I read a wonderful article in Mothering Magazine a few years ago called "Parenting as a Spiritual Path", by
Elizabeth Lesser.  She wrote, "My entire adult life, both personal and professional, has been devoted to the
spiritual quest.  So when I say that parenting has been my greatest teacher, I am comparing that humbling
task to my work with world-famous gurus, therapists, and religious clergy.  What's so "spiritual" about being
a parent?  From being a mother I have learned more about letting go, being in the moment, unconditional
love, grace, wisdom, joy, patience, and sacrifice than I ever did from yoga, Buddhist meditation, Sufi
dancing, Christian prayer, and psychotherapy combined.  Those techniques helped me immeasurably in all
aspects of my life and showed me how to use parenting as spiritual practice.  But if I had to choose only one
road to enlightenment, it would be parenting.  At each stage of our children's growth, we are given ample
opportunities to use parenthood as a mirror that reflects back to us our strengths and weaknesses.  We get
to see, in the most graphic ways, exactly where we fall short of our highest human potential.  Is our
particular failing our self-absorption - do we resist putting the needs of others first?  Or do we err in the
other direction-are we martyrs, guilt-trippers, codependent smotherers?  Do we fear change?  Are we
impatient? Jealous? Comparative?  Whatever it is that wants to be transformed within our psyches will
reveal itself to us as we parent.  If we pay attention, we'll be shown how to grow up even as we help our
children grow up."  

Here's another article from La Leche League's website on Spiritual Parenting.     

"The Tao of Motherhood" by Vimala McClure.  It's a collection of inspiring passages.  Here are my favorites:
"Love.  Parenting is at times confusing.  There will be moments when you truly do not know.  Should you
exert your authority or step back?  Should you give advice or remain silent? Should you offer help or allow
a mistake to be made?  When you cannot see what is happening, relax and look gently with your inner eye.
 The harder you try to take hold of a situation, the more difficult it becomes.  Let go.  Trust in the Way which
follows its own flow.  Allow the Great to live in you and work through you for your child's greater good.  
Return to the core: a relationship of love is more worthwhile than a philosophical position.  When doubt
arises, give way only to love."

"Return. Throw away gadgets.  Discard expert opinions.  Forget the toys to stimulate intelligence.  Don't
buy devices to simulate what is real.  Return to the real.  Connect with your children heart to heart.  Let
them gaze at you, at trees and water and sky.  Let them feel their pain.  Feel it with them.  Touch them with
your hands, your eyes, and your heart.  Let them bond with the living, breathing world.  Let them feel their
feelings and teach them their names.  Return to the uncarved simplicity."

"The Way.  The Way cannot be defined; it is only when you are in its flow that it becomes known to you.  If
parents, the guardians of the human race, could hold to the Way, children would naturally grow strong and
healthy in body, mind, and spirit.  Nothing special would be needed.  Because we have forgotten the Way,
roadmaps and instructions have come into being.  One must know when to put aside the instructions and
find the Way.  The single most important instruction is this: Meditate on the Eternal.  As the river finds the
sea, you will find the Way."
Spiritual Parenting