Parenting in the Present Moment: How to Stay Focused on What Really Matters

As a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, I have found Carla's book to be one of the most accessible books for my clients. Carla's honesty invites people in and normalizes their experience of parenting. The tips are accessible and doable.As a mindfulness teacher, I am grateful that Carla's explanation of mindfulness, compassion, self compassion and meditation are "simple" and "soothing" to get yet honor the complexities and depths of practicing them. She breaks it all down so beautifully and simply.I often notice how I FEEL when I read a book and how I feel afterward. In reading Carla's book, I felt a deep "ahhhhh"/exhale. I felt...calm. That isn't always the case after reading some realllly popular blogs and books on mindfulness.I could easily give this to one of my clients and be confident they'd find it "doable." It balances practical tips with good explanation. She includes beautiful and wise quotes from leading experts and teachers. I also think it's pretty awesome that Carla's has selected to publisher her book with a publisher that has published the works of Thich Nhat Hanh.Carla's authenticity lends itself to an exhale on behalf of the reader. As a wise teacher, Carla doesn't communicate: "I got my North Star and I'm all perfect now." No. Carla's book book draws a reader in. It says "hey, I get this. It's hard. This has been my experience. Here are some things that have helped. I hope they serve you too."After reading her book, I am brought to a sense of spaciousness within me and feel a sense of solidarity with all parents.

Parenting is hardest job I have ever taken on and I am constantly looking for the best advice to make the job easier. Parenting in the Present Moment instilled a sense of confidence in me, more so than any other parenting book I have read. (and I have read many!) Clearly stated and explained, Naumburg suggests reasonable advice to help see passed the screaming and chaos to understand where your child could be coming from to help solve their problem/confusion.As a mother of two young boys, the noise level in my house can be deafening and there is a great deal of yelling to get over the noise. Naumburg, an admitted reformed yeller, explains how yelling doesn't fix the problem and offers suggestions how to handle the situation without yelling.Remembering to take care of yourself is encouraged as well. I appreciated this ... as a working mother of two boys with multiple activities (school, soccer, guitar, playdates), I often neglect myself and realized a good walk or cup of coffee with a friend would go a long way. Naumburg encourages in a gentle way to remember yourself. She is an advocate of meditation but doesn't say it will fix the chaos, only offers it as another resource. She also encourages you to reach out to your support system (family and friends) for help and support.Naumburg offers sound parenting advice in a gentle way - advice that is useful with your crying baby to crazy children to moody teenagers. Isn't being a parent great?

There are a lot of parenting books out there. As the mother of a special needs child, so many of them make me feel as though they were written for other parents. The ones whose lives might have a modicum of chaos but otherwise appear relatively "normal." What I especially appreciate about Dr. Naumberg's book is that she acknowledges (repeatedly) how appreciably different and difficult it can be for moms like me. I felt as though my particular challenges were respected and that I too, even with the additional struggle, might find her strategies and suggestions completely doable.While I can't say that my life has changed (yet) in any earth-shattering way, I CAN state that reading the book has already challenged me to shift some of my perspectives about my life as a mom, wife, friend, etc. Having had a particularly rough few days, referring back to certain passages was like relying on the calming presence of a wise friend.Though they don't know it yet, some of my closest friends will be receiving this title as a gift in the very near future.

The book is in great condition, I just would have appreciated the square of toilet paper (someone used as a bookmark) be removed from the book before it was sent to me.

Excellent book, really helps me stay focused on living in the present and being there for my baby. I particularly like the comment that 90% of the time we are struggling towards the right direction, but that it is in the knowing which way we should be going that we do the right thing. So most of the time we are working towards our goal of being present, of soothing and listening, rather than being perfectly attuned, but that's all right. This book is reassuring for this first-time mother, who once did a little meditation with the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order a long time ago and not much since. Not like all the other parenting books, a spiritual and mental dimension based firmly in the real world, on the author's own experiences.

Parenting in the Present Moment is a wonderful book. I've been reading it in small chunks... so I can really absorb and reflect on everything the author is saying. In each chapter, Dr. Naumburg shares personal stories interwoven with professional experience. This in itself would be useful... but what I find truly unique about the book is how she also blends in lessons she is learning from her mindfulness practice. The result is a book that is funny, practical, poignant, and also exceedingly wise. As an extra bonus, this is the first parenting book I've ever read that extends beyond parenting. I find I've been applying Dr. Naumburg's mindfulness framework to many areas of my life. I highly recommend this book to any parent who is looking for practical advice, as well as some overall inspiration.

I bought this book after reading - and loving - her other book (see title) but was dissatisfied greatly. Her other book was succinct and funny. This book was not those things. Reading it actually muddled the gains I got from her How Not To ... which I recommend to anyone who will listen.

I haven't read it all, just the beginning, but so far I'm very happy with it. It's also the kind of book that you can leave for weeks, and go back to later without any problem. I go back to it whenever I have time and feel like I need advice and a dose of serenity.