The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children

This is the first parenting book I’ve read, which truly describes the journey of parenthood. I’ve read many books - but they often focus on the behaviour of children and how to manage that, OR how to BE a ‘good’ parent. But for me this books goes way beyond that, and gets to a much deeper level. It illuminates what I’ve experienced , and allows me to feel less alone. It also expands my understanding and search for meaning into the spiritual journey that happens when your life changes and you become a parent/guardian of a young person. I have now begun reading The Awakened Family and already I’m excited and uplifted by what I’m reading. These books offer the stripped back essence of parenting, the fundamental values of what it means to be in service to our children, and also the immensity of that responsibility. If you know in your heart that your children are your equal, that they are here to teach you something profound, and that your hearts desire is to do the best thing for them Spiritually, then this is your book.

Wow! I loved from the beginning through the end 🫣 Shefali makes you think deeply about yourself and the way you deal with your emotions. And how the acceptance of your inner soul can help you raise your child and see them in their authenticity while still applying the rules to guide them and help them to make the right choice in life. Before getting the book I was already in my path of knowing my essence and the need to change in other to change my son's behaviour. After hearing Shefali talking in a interview, I decided to buy her book and since the beginning of reading it I started to suggest to some friends and even started to apply some teaching in the way I approach my son and dealing with his emotions, changes is visible in my house. Yes, definitely is a life changing book. 😁😊

I started this book and felt annoyed at concepts such as "no hierarchy" parenting and at times felt almost slightly attacked by my parenting approach and everything I think/feel is correct. It is difficult to change our ways, especially on the sensitive, personal topic of parenting. However, after abandoning it for a couple of months I decided to persevere and I had to say it makes a lot of sense. The basic principle of the book in a nut shell is - in-order to parent well, you must act towards your child from a place of consciousness and to do that you your self must be conscious. Now to understand what that truly means one needs to have done some spiritual exploration already, so this book is sadly not for the masses. Even though I am very familiar with the principles of consciousness, it is still a daily practise to achieve. It's hard work! From a contextual perspective, the book is very full, there is lots of information and it has a lot of layers and depth. It is well written, good use of vocabulary, but not in an overbearing way, I learnt quite a few new words which is always nice. If you understand and believe in the concept of Consciousness, you will unlikely be disappointed.

This will change your view of your children, just allowing in a few of the idea's presented has reduced conflict in our household. The style is a little heavy going, but mug your way through the repetitive and Americanized bits because the overall effect is worth it. No need for all those italics either Ms Tsabary, trust that your reader will understand!

This book is a revelation. Many parenting books focus on quick fixes like the naughty step to get the behaviour you desire whereas this book focuses on empowering your child and looking within yourself to be the best parent you can be. My own parents’ authoritative parenting style affected me profoundly and I didn't want to make the same mistakes with my children. This book forced me to look deeply within and try and address these issues, as how I had been raised was negatively impacting my relationship with my children. I honestly felt as if my eyes had been opened after reading this book. It is a beautiful book and I have recommended it to all my friends with children. If you feel apprehensive about this amazing journey please get a copy of this book!

This is a very lovely guide to parenting... It is very child centered and supportive of parenting. I have shared pages, paragraphs etc with other parents. I love her approach to parenting. I revisit it often. Highly recommend.

I am pregnant with my first child and I was looking for a book that would inspire me to raise an 'awake' child, rather than make mistakes that were maybe made in my upbringing, or using my child just to reflect me. I loved this. I've not shared with many people that I've read this, as people are so cynical, but I found it full of common sense and inspiration. I was especially glad that the author is not suggesting that you should raise kids as wild, hippy, feral kids with no responsibilities! Instead, this book is about noticing when you're out of control yourself, and that children are not ever 'born bad'. I'm sure I will keep reading this all throughout my child's life.

I am sure the author is a very clever lady and the message she is trying to get across is well meaning and beneficial. It became a bit waffly unfortunately for me. I would have liked a bit more direction and more tips for how to benefit a child.

Absolutely great book ! Best parenting book I have ever read - although I will admit I'm not a 'parenting book' reader, this one is incredible. I highly encourage this book to all parents - it's brilliant. Your child will likely thank you in the future as a close & healthy honest relationship between parent and child is a strength that carries on throughout life. It would be so great if much of this books' content was taught to high school kids as this book contains healthy ways of thinking that apply to all ages, from childhood to adult. Highly recommend.

Shefali te abre los ojos siempre que estés dispuesto a tener autocritica y cambiar tu mismo para tener una mejor relación con tus hijos

Surprisingly good.

This great book changed my entire perspective on parenting . Few chapters in I was to already transformed. I would recommend it to anyone who’s experiencing trouble parenting it’s a good book.

Dr. Shefali offers a new paradigm of parenting in The Conscious Parent. If you are ready to step aside from power struggles and the antiquated days of a hierarchical parent-child relationship, this book is for you. If you are ready to experience your children as special agents on your spiritual journey, this book is your gospel. Becoming a conscious parent is all about the becoming. It is the transformation from our unconscious habits and patterns, inherited by our families of origin and embedded from our cultural norms. Becoming is an act of awareness, an intention, and a conscious choice to mindful living and raising our children. The greatest concept of the book is that through transforming ourselves, we empower our children. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, the real focus of conscious parenting is on the parents, not the children. When parents are able to accept their emotions and live authentically, it is natural for the children to do the same. Conscious parenting is raising ourselves so we are better able to help raise our children. The intention of conscious parenting is to accept full responsibility for ourselves and eliminate the need to control the outcome of our children. It is a conscious choice to replace shame and blame with understanding. Through understanding, we free ourselves and our children to live authentically. Through a combination of personal experiences, client stories, and clinical research, Dr. Shefali shares the human component and natural tendencies of parenting. The book is easy to read and relate to. The Consciousness Compass is a series of questions to guide us along the path of consciousness. This excerpt is a summary of the book and the shift in consciousness. *It is we who teach our children how to be greedy by giving them diamonds instead of sticks and stones *It is we who teach our children how to fear adventure by rewarding their successes and reprimanding their failures *It is we who teach our children how to lie to us by getting angry with them when they tell us the truth *It is we who teach our children how to be mean and violent to others by disregarding their emotions and denying them unconditional acceptance *It is we who teach our children to lose their motivation and zeal by pressuring them to excel and "be something" *It is we who teach our children to dishonor us by pushing them to be who they are not *It is we who teach our children to be bullies by dominating their spirit and silencing their voice *It is we who teach our children to be confused and overwhelmed by giving them all things external, but few tools to look internally *It is we who teach our children to be inattentive and distracted by inundating their lives with busy activities, leaving no space for stillness *It is we who teach our children to live their life looking outward by spending our time and energy on our own looks and acquisitions *It is we who teach our children to disrespect us by not stopping them the first time they are disrespectful and every time after *It is we who teach our children to be defiant by not knowing how to lay down the rules and mean business when we do *It is we who teach our children to know shame by shaming their spirits and judging them constantly *It is we who teach our children to become anxious by denying the celebration of our own present as we constantly focus on tomorrow *It is we who teach our children not to like themselves by constantly categorizing their emotions as those we approve of and those we don't *It is we who teach our children not to trust the world by betraying them every time we don't see who they are in their essence *It is we who teach our children how to love or not love by the extent to which we love or don't love ourselves. We are on this journey together, as parents and in relation to our children. Mindful living and conscious parenting is a means to transform ourselves and empower our children. This book is a great parenting tool to raise our awareness above that which keeps us from loving unconditionally and living whole-heartedly.