Parenting Pointers: Slow Parenting

There's no doubt today is a pretty crazy-busy world. We've been doing a book in my moms' group at church called Sabbath Keeping, and it is amazing how odd it seems to even think about taking a 24-hour rest period.

Yet, that same idea of taking time to stop is the driving force behind the idea of slow parenting. This movement embraces the idea of having more fun, deciding what's really important, being more appreciative, and honoring life's simple pleasures. Instead of letting family life get lost in the shuffle of scheduled activities, take time to play outdoors, celebrate the rhythm of nature, take detours while traveling, and create things together.

Susan Sachs Lipman, founder of slowfamilyonline.com, wrote a book called Fed Up with Frenzy: Slow Parenting in a Fast-Moving World that offers some great activities families can do together to learn more about each other and the world around them in a nice, relaxed manner. The website is also a great read. Both have a realistic, conversational tone and are practical. Some of the suggestions won't work for every family, but there is so much there that you're bound to find something that will work for your family.

You don't have to give up everything, but taking time away from a jam-packed schedule to do just a few family activities a week - truly as a family, not mom and dad texting from the sidelines while Sally plays in pep band and Buddy plays football - will have huge rewards. I highly encourage you to check out the blog and the book for some ways you and your family can really connect.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate this post.