The Power of Presence: Practicing Mindful Parenting in Everyday Moments

There’s something truly humbling about parenting a toddler. Bennett is a walking (okay, sprinting) reminder that being present is more than just being physically there. You can’t really fake it with a two-year-old. They’re like little presence detectives—if my mind’s wandering or I’m half-heartedly listening, Bennett knows. And boy, does he call me out on it (usually by launching a toy across the room for added effect).

I’ve realized that parenting, especially at this stage, isn’t just about doing things for him; it’s about being with him. Fully. Which, let’s be honest, is hard when you’ve got a to-do list longer than my Amazon "Save for Later" and only about 30 minutes of uninterrupted time per day (which is usually that brief moment when I force myself out of bed before he wakes).

But here’s the thing: presence isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, intentional moments that matter.

Mindful Parenting: It’s the Little Things

Mindful parenting is one of those phrases that gets tossed around a lot. But what does it actually mean? For me, it’s the practice of being fully engaged in the moment with Bennett—whether we’re building towers out of blocks or he’s explaining (in his toddler gibberish) the complexities of why cats are superior to dogs. It’s about shutting out the noise, turning off the phone, and letting him know that I’m here, now, and that this moment is just about us.

The beauty of this? These small moments of connection are where the real magic happens. When I choose to be present, Bennett feels seen, heard, and valued. And honestly, I do too.

Noticing the Details in the Chaos

Imma be real honest: the majority of my day is a blur of snack requests, potty runs, and picking up things that should never have been dropped in the first place. But within that chaos, there are these little pockets of joy if I slow down long enough to notice them.

Like when Bennett asks me to dance in the kitchen after dinner, and instead of thinking about the dishes, I stop and join him. It’s two minutes of pure, unfiltered joy—and those dishes? They’ll still be there. Or when we’re reading a book for the tenth time in a row, and instead of rushing through it, I notice the way he lights up at his favorite part, like it’s the first time he’s heard it.

Being present doesn’t require me to do more—it just asks me to be more. More engaged, more in tune, more available. (And yes, that also means putting my phone out of reach so I’m not tempted to check Instagram during “snuggle time.”)

Turning the Mundane into Mindful Moments

Most of our day isn’t spent doing grand, Pinterest-worthy activities. A lot of it is mundane. Brushing teeth, putting on shoes, cleaning up toys—these are the moments that can either pass in a haze or be infused with presence. For instance, when we’re brushing Bennett’s teeth, instead of just focusing on the task, I try to turn it into a fun game. We make silly faces in the mirror, we talk about what we’ll do after, or I ask him to show me how “strong” his teeth are.

These tiny shifts in how I approach the routine turn the mundane into moments of connection. And that’s really what this is all about: finding connection in the ordinary.

Giving Him My Full Attention

Listen, I’ll be the first to admit that multitasking has become my superpower. But here’s the problem: when I’m only half-present, Bennett notices. I can be physically in the room, but if my mind is on the laundry or tomorrow’s grocery list, I’m not really there. And Bennett? He senses that I’m distracted, and that’s when the chaos intensifies.

So, I’ve made a rule for myself: When I’m spending time with Bennett—whether it’s playtime, snack time, or one of his many toddler negotiations—I’m fully there. Phone down. To-do list out of sight. It doesn’t have to be hours of engagement; sometimes it’s just 15 minutes of undivided attention. But those 15 minutes matter.

When he knows I’m truly present, his need for attention feels satisfied in a deeper way. And, let’s face it, the meltdowns over me not watching him jump in place after yelling "Mama, wook" decrease significantly when I’m actually paying attention the first time around.

When I Can’t Be Fully Present (Because, Life)

There are times when I just can’t be fully present. I’ve got work to do, dinner to cook, or I simply need five minutes to myself before my brain turns to mush. And that’s okay.

What I’ve learned is that it’s about communicating with Bennett. Instead of trying to do everything at once (and failing at it all), I tell him: “I need five minutes to finish this, and then we’ll play together.” He might not love it, but giving him a heads-up helps manage his expectations (as much as you can with a two-year-old, anyway). Then, when I’m done, I show up for him. He gets my full attention, and we both feel more connected as a result.

The key here is balance. I don’t have to be 100% present all the time (no one does), but when I am present, I’m fully there.

The Benefits of Mindful Parenting for Both of Us

I used to think being a “good mom” meant doing all the things, all the time. But the more I practice mindful parenting, the more I realize that it’s not about doing more. It’s about being intentional with what I’m already doing. And the benefits? They’re twofold:

1. Bennett feels more secure: When he knows he’s got my full attention, he feels more grounded. He’s less likely to act out because he knows I’m there, really there, with him.
2. I feel more connected: I’m not just checking off boxes on my mental to-do list. I’m actually enjoying the moments with him. And the more I’m present with him, the more I find myself appreciating the little things—the way he says “goodnight” or how he giggles when he’s being silly.

It’s these small, present moments that build our relationship. It’s not the big trips or the perfectly planned activities. It’s the way I show up in the everyday, mundane moments that tell Bennett: I’m here with you. I see you. You matter.

Remembering That Presence Isn’t Perfection

Here’s the thing: I’m not always going to get this right. There will be days when I’m distracted, overwhelmed, or just plain tired. And that’s okay. What I’ve come to realize is that mindful parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. It’s about making a conscious choice, moment by moment, to be present when I can and to give myself grace when I can’t.

Because at the end of the day, Bennett doesn’t need me to be perfect. He needs me to be here. Fully, imperfectly, humanly here. And that’s something I can do—one present moment at a time.



XoXo,

Sia