Finding Peace in Parenthood: How Mindfulness Can Transform Parenting with Josephine Atluri

05/01/24 • 31 min

Are you finding it hard to stay calm and present during the hectic everyday life of parenting? In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, Josephine Atluri sheds light on how mindfulness can transform your parenting journey. Sit back and join hosts Genie Dawkins and Josephine Atluri as they dive deep into embracing mindfulness amidst the chaos of raising kids.

Episode Summary:

Josephine Atluri, a mom to seven children through international adoption, IVF, and surrogacy, shares how her challenging journey led her to embrace mindfulness and meditation. Both Genie and Josephine explore their initial skepticism towards these practices and discuss various accessible strategies for incorporating mindfulness into daily routines. This episode debunks common myths, highlights the simplicity of mindfulness practices, and provides actionable advice for integrating mindfulness moments throughout your day to foster a more grounded and calm parenting approach.

Key Takeaways:

Mindfulness can be practiced in simple, scalable ways starting with even just one minute a day.

It is natural for the mind to wander during mindfulness practices; the key is returning focus without judgment.

Incorporating mindfulness into daily activities can greatly aid in handling stress and enhancing clarity and presence within family interactions.

There are diverse ways to practice mindfulness, ensuring that there is something for everyone—there is no "one right way."

Even moments of supposed failure, like falling asleep during meditation, are part of the journey toward more mindful living.

Links and Resources:

5 Minute Mindfulness for Parents - Check out Josephine Atluri’s book to explore easy and quick mindfulness exercises.

Mindful.org - A useful resource for beginners and seasoned practitioners looking for tools to deepen their practice.

Headspace - An app offering guided meditation sessions and mindfulness training.

Quotes:

"Mindfulness is not about getting it right; it's about being aware of the present and learning from it," - Josephine Atluri.

"The beauty of mindfulness is in its flexibility; it bends to fit into our lives uniquely," - Genie Dawkins.

About the Speakers:

Josephine Atluri is an expert in meditation and mindfulness training, specialized in helping individuals overcome adversity through mindfulness. She is the author of "5 Minute Mindfulness for Pregnancy" and a mom of seven, whose journey through adoption, IVF, and surrogacy has deeply influenced her practices and teachings. You can listen to Josephine's Podcast Responding to Life on Apple and follow her on IG @josephineratluri

Genie Dawkins, co-host at The Parenting Cipher, is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and a vocal proponent for parental involvement in education and personal development. Through her work, she aims to empower parents with the tools needed to advocate effectively for their children.

Delve into this insightful discussion on "Embracing Mindfulness in Parenting" and discover how small, mindful moments can lead to significant changes in your parenting and personal well-being.

🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary:

Key Takeaways:

Mindfulness can be practiced in simple, scalable ways starting with even just one minute a day.

It is natural for the mind to wander during mindfulness practices; the key is returning focus without judgment.

Incorporating mindfulness into daily activities can greatly aid in handling stress and enhancing clarity and presence within family interactions.

There are diverse ways to practice mindfulness, ensuring that there is something for everyone—there is no "one right way."

Even moments of supposed failure, like falling asleep during meditation, are part of the journey toward more mindful living.

Links and Resources:

5 Minute Mindfulness for Parents - Check out Josephine Atluri’s book to explore easy and quick mindfulness exercises.

Mindful.org - A useful resource for beginners and seasoned practitioners looking for tools to deepen their practice.

Headspace - An app offering guided meditation sessions and mindfulness training.

Quotes:

"Mindfulness is not about getting it right; it's about being aware of the present and learning from it," - Josephine Atluri.

"The beauty of mindfulness is in its flexibility; it bends to fit into our lives uniquely," - Genie Dawkins.

About the Speakers:

Delve into this insightful discussion on "Embracing Mindfulness in Parenting" and discover how small, mindful moments can lead to significant changes in your parenting and personal well-being.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Understanding Assistive Technology for Your Child's Academic Success

Are you feeling overwhelmed about understanding how assistive technology can support your child’s learning? In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, Genie Dawkins clarifies the often misunderstood world of assistive technology, sharing her own experiences and insights to shed light on how this resource can be tapped to unlock your child's full academic potential.

In This Episode:

Genie delves into what assistive technology is and how it can level the playing field for children with disabilities.

Discover the range of assistive technology, from low-tech solutions like pencil grips to high-tech software for speech-to-text functionality.

Learn the significance of ensuring your child not only receives these technologies but is also adept at using them.

Understand the institutional hesitancy around acknowledging and providing assistive technology, and prepare for the forthcoming discussion on challenging schools to check the assistive technology box on IEPs.

Key Takeaways:

The Definition: Assistive technology includes any item, equipment, or system that enhances the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

Importance of Early Implementation: Assistive technology can be introduced as early as pre-K or kindergarten to support a child's educational journey.

Low to High-Tech: Ranging from pencil grips and planners to sophisticated computer programs, assistive tech is varied and adaptable to each child’s needs.

Empowering Learning: The proper use of assistive technology, coupled with quality instruction, can significantly impact a student’s independence and academic achievement.

Next Steps: Genie will continue the conversation on assistive technology, discussing how parents can advocate for its inclusion in their child’s education plan and hold schools accountable for their child’s success.

Links and Resources:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Learning Ally

Sora Reading App

Read and Write

Article: [Benefits of Assistive Technology in Special Education](#)

Stay tuned for part two of our conversation on assistive technology in a future episode of The Parenting Cipher, where Genie will dive deeper into advocating for your child's needs in the realm of educational technology.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Fighting for Your Child’s Right to Assistive Technology

Have you ever wondered how lack of assistive technology in schools can affect your child's education, especially if they have been diagnosed with neurological behavioral conditions like dyslexia or ADHD? In this enlightening episode, Genie Dawkins dives into the critical role of assistive technology in aiding students' learning processes and advocates steps to ensure these resources are accessible in public schools, particularly those in inner-city areas.

In This Episode:

Genie Dawkins shares her personal struggle with securing assistive technology for her son and uses her experience to offer insight and advice for other parents in similar positions. She discusses the disparity between the resources available in underfunded public schools versus private schools and stresses the importance of parents' advocacy to bridge this gap.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the spectrum of assistive technologies and their significance in supporting students with disabilities.

Navigating the challenges presented by the underfunding of assistive technology in public schools.

Practical steps to advocate for assistive technology, including knowing your legal rights and collaborating with educators.

The benefits of assistive technology in not only aiding academic success but also boosting student confidence and independence.

Links and Resources:

Time Stamps:

07:38 Adapting assistive technology to support students in need.

10:08 Underfunded schools impact children's education and support.

14:10 Assistive technology helps students focus on comprehension.

17:08 Schools may lack awareness and resources for assistive technology.

20:15 Special education consultant advocates for technology access.

22:15 Closing the gap for neurodiverse kids is essential.

28:05 Instructions sent for child's independent learning.

29:28 Use speech-to-text to ensure accountability in schools.

Quotes:

"Assistive technology is not just a tool; it's a bridge to unlocking our children's potential." - Genie Dawkins

"Every child deserves the right tools to succeed, and sometimes, it's up to us as parents to build that toolkit." - Genie Dawkins

Speaker Biography:

Genie Dawkins is a devoted mother and dynamic advocate for children's education rights, especially those with special educational needs. With her insightful podcast, The Parenting Cipher, Genie empowers parents with knowledge and strategies to support their children's educational journey and advocate for necessary resources, including assistive technology.

Tune into this episode for a deep dive into how assistive technologies can revolutionize learning for students with special needs and how you can play a pivotal role in that transformative process.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.