What is slow parenting?

Life flies by fast – too fast! When you become a parent, it’s something you realize very quickly. We’re often running out of time, which unfortunately ends up running out on us. Every minute counts, and it’s important to make the most of it. Without intending to, we go on autopilot. Consider slow parenting, a movement that’s gaining more and more followers!

The educational trend of slow parenting

Slow parenting is a movement that decries the negative effects of the daily rat race and encourages us to simply slow down. It makes us aware of the passage of time and brings a slower pace to family life. Thinking and feeling that your family needs a break? Maybe this movement is for you!

Daily family life: Focus on quality rather than quantity

You’ve probably heard the expression “Quality over quantity” or “Stop overdoing it. Too much is like not enough!”  It may seem simple on the surface, but slow parenting isn’t always easy to put into practice. It makes us realize the importance of taking time for ourselves, focusing more on the quality of everyday family moments.

By reducing our parental obligations, we slowly let quality in. We can then take full advantage of the present moment and be fully mindful of what’s going on, so we can appreciate what’s actually “happening.” The slow parenting movement is all about pausing, taking a breather, lingering to appreciate the moment instead of counting up activities. So you can enjoy being together as a family, without focusing on results or performance. Quality makes it possible to incorporate gentleness into our daily lives in a society that drives us to consume more.

Slow parenting to make room for creativity

By cutting back on organized activities, we encourage our children to use their creativity instead of taking the easy way out. It’s a great way to give children access to their inner resources and imagination!

In a slow parenting approach, free play is important. It gives children the opportunity to discover themselves and get to know themselves better. Children have everything they need to occupy their time. Remember, children can get bored, no matter how strange that may seem! When they have free time, they experience boredom and actively use their brain to find an activity they enjoy.

Keep in mind, they are children, and for them to behave like children, we need to give them time and opportunity. Slow parenting reminds us to free up time to make the most of children’s curiosity and, of course, allow them to use their own world and their creative side.

What are the benefits of slow parenting?

• We focus on quality in our relationship with our children instead of quantity.
• We appreciate life’s little pleasures more.
• We build gentleness into our daily lives.
• We can focus on the present moment.
• We give our children a gentler, more serene environment.
• There’s less stress in our everyday lives.
• We free up time for creativity.
• We preserve or improve the parent-child relationship.
• We save money by cutting back on activities.
• We allow children to explore their natural environment and leave room for independence.
• We promote a more pleasant, less tense atmosphere.

The slow parenting movement may have some drawbacks you should consider:

• With children having more time on their hands, parents need to be unfazed by boredom. Even if it’s uncomfortable, you have to practise.
• Being in the moment is a challenge. You’ll need practice to experience the benefits and have some success before you can turn off the autopilot.
• You could fall into the trap of interpreting slow parenting in your own way and not providing a proper framework. Slow parenting doesn’t mean no rules.

Some people may not like the term “slowing down.” Bear in mind that this idea should be applied with a light touch. As the slow parenting movement reminds us, slowing down doesn’t mean “doing nothing.” In fact, it means making conscious choices that are in line with our values, supporting our children differently and focusing on what’s essential for us. Since there’s good intention in every action, it’s always the right time to make changes in our daily lives to provide what’s best for our children. Remember, today’s children are the society of the future!

Isabelle Dufour, family coach and family counsellor
Member of the Réseau Nanny Secours