Children stretch our edges of responsibility as we fulfill their needs, whether we give birth to them or bring them into our lives as stepparents or grandparents. Kids learn responsibility by practicing it little by little and we are their main teachers.

When we pass on to our kids the lessons that we have learned so far, each succeeding generation evolves in consciousness.

To begin

Sit in a quiet location, hands folded in your lap or resting on your thighs palms up or palms down. Close your eyes and begin to breathe in an even regular pattern, such as: breathe in 2 counts; breathe out 2 counts; breathe in 2 counts and continue. Keep up the rhythmic breathing but let go of the conscious counting.

Breath is a tie between body and mind and when we do the regular even breathing we harmonize the interaction of the body and mind. This is important to keep in mind while handling tough child rearing issues.

Now, with your body calm reflect on the following thoughts:

In the family setting we give for the welfare of kids. Giving for a child's benefit is not give and take. We give, give, give, and do not receive in kind, a child does not have the capacity to give back to us in the same way.

What we do receive through caring for kids and teens is a shredding of our self-centeredness, our cage of self-containment, our concept that we are here on earth only to satisfy desires from our own mind.

We give to our children while they are growing up. What they give back to us is a permanent experience of ourselves as expansive beings, expansive in that we feel ourselves within the framework of others' lives.

To our kids we are parents and to our elders we are kids. While we each play our roles to the best of our ability and try to grow in consciousness, we are helping the world be a better planet for everyone. As world sisters and brothers let us care across the generations and make our time on earth as fruitful as possible.

Now, take a deep breath in and out, and stretch. Take time to record your feelings and insights in your journal for later review. In this way your journal becomes the most enlightening book, or series of books in your life, because it is the record of your own journey of growth in Spirit.

Article by Susan Helene Kramer

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For offline reading

Meditation Lessons for Teens and Adults
More than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. 114 pages.

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Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.