Copy of Raising Mindful Children Group

Raising Mindful Children

What is Raising Mindful Children?

Raising Mindful Children is a group led by Kristal, a busy mom of 3. Kristal is a certified mindfulness meditation guide and has a passion for nature and raising children to appreciate nature as well.

This group gathers in nature, away from playgrounds to truly allow our children to create their own entertainment out of anything they find. Rocks and sticks become structures, leaves become boats and we can even make our own art out of the treasures we find.

Why gather together?

Raising children has never been easy. But in our current reality of overstimulation, information overload, screens, and devices, our children are being raised in a world more disconnected from the earth, themselves, and the healing power of mother nature than ever before.

When we see signs of disconnect in our children in the form of outbursts, sickness, detachment, or difficulty expressing emotion, our society directs them to MORE screens, Medic*tion, and other unhealthy ways of suppressing their natural reactions to this unnatural world.

Raising Mindful Children understand that ALL children, no matter their ethnic background, ecomonic status, family or form of education (public or private, Montessori or home school), deserve to understand the power of basic nature and mindfulness and ENJOY their childhood as we used to long before the modernization of “organized play”.

Before we had blue light-blocking glasses, we had blue sky. Before we had Neflix or Nintendo Switch, we had star-gazing and tales around the fire. Before we had “wiggle time”, we danced in the rain.

What if we chose to gather again and got back to the basics?

What if we gathered together at parks without playgrounds so our children could play side by side, creating their own entertainment, encouraging creativity and independence? What if we got together and let them climb trees, jump in puddles and build structures out of sticks and rocks or anything else they found? What if they had the freedom to explore without being guided to a goal, an outcome or a prize?

What if we offered special meditations or self-love and cleansing rituals, teaching our children to let go of that which does not serve them?

What if we were right there with them having our own experience? (therefore teaching our children that we take care of ourselves, as well!)

Parents need support and children need our guidance, so join us in Raising Mindful Children, where we have each other, nature, and mindfulness.

What should we bring?

Keep it simple: snacks, water, a change of clothes, and make sure you wear things you don't mind getting dirty. Weather appropriate clothing is a must. (You're welcome to bring a yoga mat or blanket for the guided meditation).

“At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair should be messy and your eyes sparkling” -Shanti

“Nature and children are natural playmates; they’re both wild and messy, unpredictable and beautiful” -Mark Hoelterhoff

Is there a suggested donation?

This is a free event for children and their grown-ups, but donations are welcome (not expected). We suggest $15 per family, which covers the time dedicated to putting these events together, as well as Kristal's experience as a certified mindfulness meditation guide. All donations are appreciated!

Info: We'll start our adventure by beginning a walk through the short trail of Dorchester Colonial Park and get a lay of the land.

Info: We will all sit together in a meditation circle on our mats or on the ground and I will go through a short, guided meditation and mindfulness exercise for all ages. (Children will wander, lose interest or perhaps just too young to sit for long, so please don't worry if you or your child can't sit, this is a place of acceptance and understanding.)

Info: This is the time to let go and allow our children to play freely with one another or by themselves. Sometimes it's hard not to try and direct them toward a destination, but this is a time for creativity, freedom and exploration. I will be gathering pieces of nature to create artwork to be left behind, believing someone who needs to see something beautiful will find it. I will explain this to the children and allow them to participate in finding "nature's treasures" if they so choose.

Host or Publisher Kristal Provencher