Buddhism for Parents on the Go: Gems to Minimise Stress

by Sarah Napthali

Designed with busy parents in mind, an easy-to-digest guide to making the most of being a parent based on Buddhist principles, from the author of the acclaimed Buddhism for Mothers Parenthood can be a time of great inner turmoil, yet parenting books invariably focus on nurturing children rather than the parents who struggle to raise them. This book is it is an invaluable book for stressed parents. It explores parents' potential to be with their children in the all-important present moment; to gain the most joy out of being with them. Using Buddhist practices, Sarah Napthali offers ways of coping with the day-to-day challenges of parenthood, ways that also allow space for the deeper reflections about who we are and what makes us happy. From advice for the sleep deprived to dealing with the drama of toddler tantrums and thoughts on teenage egocentrism, these teachings are presented in short enough formats to digest on the run. This is Buddhism at its most accessible, applied to the busy, daily realities of ordinary parents.

Genres: Parenting, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Audiobook

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sarah Napthali is a mother of two young boys who tries to apply Buddhist teachings in her daily life. Her working life has ranged from teaching English as a Second Language and corporate training, to human rights activism and interpreting. Since becoming a mother she has focussed on writing, initially for companies and later for individuals wanting to record their memoirs. With seven memoirs completed, she is also the author of Buddhism for Mothers (Allen & Unwin, 2003) which has sold 54,000 copies around the world and been translated into eight languages to date. Since the children started school, Sarah is very pleased to report that she manages to meditate daily.

from http://www.allenandunwin.com/default....

Reviews

[Sunshine Biskaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Buddhism for Parents on the Go: Gems to Minimise Stress"
by Sarah Napthali

I've read this book after reading "Buddhism for Mothers" and found both both very similar with the concepts of kindness and love. I have enjoyed both books and find them helpful for parenthood. I do like that Sarah is honest, transparent and also admits her own flaws, even in her own Buddhism practice.

In this current world, people are always busy competing, and there is a loss of community. I think when we support the people around us, it creates a better world. When we realise how many people were involved in bringing us the food on our table, the electricity we use to watch the news, or the furniture we sit on, we should be grateful for everyone. When we are appreciative, we can become happier and also teach our children to be grateful.

This is a great book and I'd highly recommend it.

[Abby Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some gems.

“Anger is the single enemy that all the wise ones agree to kill.” - Buddha

“I lose it all the time. We all lose it all the time. The point is not that we lose our cool, the point is how quickly we find it again.” - Karen Maezen Miller

“…the body, unlike the mind, is always in the present moment.”

“Given that we are all human and family life is so challenging, an indispensable tool for your families kit will always be the ability to apologize-often.”

“Will this conversation bring me closer to a state of peace—or does it only fuel my anger?”

[Steph]

I read this out of curiosity but I don’t think Buddism and I are a good match. Also I found the framing quite privileged, for example the section on “slavery” is about parents being bossed around by their kids, which is pretty cringey when the global sex trafficking trade continues into countries such as the author’s. But I despite being a “parent on the go”, I don’t think I’m the target audience.

[BGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished the book. I think it met the expectation of being a quick guide for busy parents. While it’s mainly a compilation of many meditation books that I’ve come across before, I consider it useful to have it in one place and understanding a few things that I can do better in my parenting role.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's filled with short, precise information and ideas to ponder during your day.

[Seawood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swallowed this in a day right off the back of the School-Age Children book, and yes, a percentage of it is reprinted from that and probably the other books too. But this format makes it so much easier to dip in and out of. In fact it stopped me from escalating a squabble within minutes of buying it, so for that reason alone it's staying right where I can see it! For a quick nudge back to right thinking, right speech and so on, it's well worth the price.

Now...any chance of a "Buddhism for Daughters"? :)

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst I'm not about to run off and become a buddhist, there are lots of lovely, sensible, and thoughtful approaches in this book. One thing I do appreciate about buddhism that I've learnt through extremely limited reading is the acceptance of yourself just the way you are and no 'you must change right now' rubbish.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Insightful... would be good to read again in a years time...