Holistic Parenting Principles
Nurture Mind, Body and Spiritual Wholeness in Your Children
Holistic parenting is about raising children in as natural a way as possible. Holistic parents choose practices that support wellness of mind, body and spirit.
Holistic parents focus on the mind, body and spirit of their child, recognizing that each area of development is intertwined with the others. Many other popular parenting techniques are covered under the broad umbrella of holistic parenting.
Developing the Mind
Holistic parents know that a child starts learning about the world around him, and his place in it, the moment he is out of the womb. Therefore, parenting should be done with thoughtfulness and care. Rather than using old-fashioned advice as a guide, holistic parents are learning to trust their parenting instincts as they nurture the minds of their children.
- Attachment parenting is firmly rooted in holistic parenting. Holistic parents believe that a strong attachment, formed at birth and in the years after, will help children grow to be emotionally stable and self-confident. Parents form strong attachments through co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and baby wearing in the early years. Holistic parents will keep an attached relationship with older children by making communication a priority and maintaining a connection.
- The home schooling movement has taken off in recent years. It is another popular parenting method that falls within the boundaries of holistic parenting. Parents choose to home school for a variety of reasons, but holistic parents believe that the parents are the child’s first and best teachers. They choose to teach with their child’s particular personality and needs in mind.
Developing the Body
Holistic parents believe that health should be maintained through natural foods, taking care of the environment and making informed health decisions.
- Holistic families may strive to eat only organic foods and minimally processed foods in order to maintain health and develop the body to its greatest potential. They may grow some or all of their own food in a garden. These parents shun the commercially prepared foods that are loaded with additives and fillers which are linked to many health problems.
- Many holistic families live as environmentally friendly as possible. They may choose natural cleaning methods to support their immediate environment, which also supports the development of the body. They may choose to use cloth diapers and other cloth products, such as napkins and even cloth menstrual pads.
- Holistic parents educate themselves about health concerns. For example, they will make informed choices before accepting a prescription for antibiotics. They are also likely to seek alternative treatments from chiropractors, naturopaths and homeopathic doctors.
Developing the Spirit
Holistic parents believe in a higher power. Developing the spirit can take many forms depending on the family’s particular beliefs. Many holistic families participate in organized religion. Many others find their own way spiritually through meditation and prayer. Others may revere nature and live mindfully with respect to the Earth.
Just as there is no one path in life, there is no one path to holistic parenting.
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