Author Isabella Strambio offers suggestions about building mindfulness into daily life, especially useful tips for parents.
As a mother of two daughters, aged 10 and 12, I’ve always aimed to teach them mindfulness through macrame and crafting. Advocating for a creative lifestyle, I’ve witnessed firsthand how art is a healing and powerful tool for mindfulness and meditation. In our fast-paced world, children face pressures from school, extracurricular activities, and even social media. For busy parents, helping kids navigate these stresses can feel daunting. Yet, one of the most impactful ways to support their emotional well-being is by introducing creativity as a form of mindfulness.
The approach is not merely about teaching them but embodying the practice as a family. This philosophy forms the core of my upcoming book, Mindful Macrame, launching January 10, 2025. More than a guide to beautiful macrame projects, the book is a journey into how crafting can be meditative and grounding. By embracing small creative moments in our day and modelling mindfulness as parents, we empower our children to see art as a tool for their well-being.
Art and creativity uniquely offer a chance to slow down, focus, and remain present. Engaging in creative activities like drawing, painting, or macrame naturally shifts the mind into a state of flow—a focused state that fosters calm and clarity by quieting distractions. For children, this practice is invaluable, helping them:
● Develop emotional regulation skills.
● Enhance focus and concentration.
● Build resilience in handling stress and challenges.
● Express emotions they might struggle to articulate verbally.
However, simply giving children art supplies or a mindfulness book isn’t enough. Parents play a crucial role by actively participating in and modelling these practices.
Children learn by observing the adults in their lives. Practising art as meditation demonstrates that mindfulness isn’t an abstract concept—it’s a tangible and enriching part of life.
In our home, art has become a shared ritual. Whether it’s crafting after school, before dinner, or on a weekend afternoon, my husband and I sit with our daughters to create together. Sometimes the purpose is functional—like making a birthday card or decorating wrapping paper. Other times, it’s purely for fun, with materials spread across the table for everyone to explore. My youngest delights in transforming recycled materials like egg cartons, cereal boxes, and string into creative treasures.
The simple act of creating with our hands fosters calm and connection, reminding us that mindfulness can be joyful and accessible.
For many parents, time is a barrier. Between work, household duties, and parenting, extra hours seem impossible to find. But mindfulness through art doesn’t require hours. Small, consistent moments are transformative.
For instance:
● Dedicate 10–20 minutes during a coffee break or after school for simple projects like macrame, watercolours, or collages.
● Create a short story as a family using three words.
● End the day by sharing three good things or moments of gratitude.
These small efforts recharge us and deepen connections with our children. They show that mindfulness isn’t a chore but a shared joy that strengthens bonds.
When parents engage in mindfulness, they send a vital message: This matters, and it works. Introducing art as a mindfulness tool gives children a lifelong skill to navigate challenges with creativity and calm.
Through my journey, I’ve learned that mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. Combining creativity with intention creates a space where parents and children thrive. I hope Mindful Macrame helps families explore this practice together. It’s not just about creating something beautiful—it’s about finding beauty in the process, stillness, and connections.
As parents, we have the privilege of leading by example, showing our children that through art and creativity, we can find peace, focus, and joy.
Isabella Strambio Macrame Artist and Author of Mindful Macrame “Macrame is yoga for the mind.”
www.isabellastrambio.com
Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Federation.
