CHild Contemplation
to support Profound Parenting
What is Child Contemplation and why is it needed?
Parents often face situations with their children which they find challenging and difficult to deal with. Help is often sought from psychologists, behavioural ‘experts’ or self-help books, involving many hours with the focus on ‘solving the problem’. However, there is another way that is more economic and profound and does not pathologise the child’s behaviour.
The Child Contemplation process creates a sacred space through which a child’s loved ones can come together to develop a deeper understanding and awareness of the child’s true being. The process enables us to develop new organs of perception, through wholehearted reverence and love, and to see the inherent wisdom of the child’s development. Thereby, we are able to grow and energise ourselves to be worthy companions on their life’s journey. By providing this environment of unconditional love and respect, the child is helped to find balance and to flourish.
What does it entail?
We prepare for this special time, through informed non-judgemental observations of the child, based on an insightful and well-considered framework of the different aspects of human life, a week before the Child Contemplation session. Photos and videos of the child and some of the child’s favourite objects and handmade articles are shared with the circle of people involved.
The guided Child Contemplation session lasts about an hour, beginning in a special way by creating an atmosphere of reverence. Each person then describes what they have noticed about the child in a loving and imaginative way. A deep listening and sensing is striven for. Layer by layer, the child’s being emerges more fully. When we have come to an organic completion, we can say a poem, a song or a prayer for the child and offer our love together to the spirit of the child.
After a week, Carol engages the parents in a reflective session in which there is an opportunity to share what they have noticed or become aware of, in the child and in themselves, since the Child Contemplation session.
Child Contemplation in small groups
The Child Contemplation process is available to a group of three families, for example, who choose to embark on the process together. Working with others allows participants to get greater perspective, as well as to benefit from the reflections of others. Having a few sessions enables practising observations skills and learning to listen more deeply for intuition and inspiration, thereby developing confidence in your parenting. The parents/caregivers from the three families will participate all together in a process involving five 1-hour sessions (with roughly a gap of one to two weeks between them), as follows:
1. The first session introduces the process and focuses on learning how to observe without judgement while looking with the eyes of an artist.
2. Child Contemplation for 1st child
3. Child Contemplation for 2nd child
4. Child Contemplation for 3rd child
5. Reflection on the process and its impact
Joey’s experience:
‘The Child Contemplation session I participated in for my 6-year old son was a deeply nourishing and moving process that I draw upon frequently. The week leading up to the session, I took time to consciously observe my son with curiosity and wonder, with the eyes of an artist. This conscious and intentional observation allowed me to transcend the noise of the day and watch my son lovingly as if I were his guardian angel. Or as if I were wanting to get to know the boy whose portrait I would be painting.
The Child Contemplation session felt like a safe and sacred space, thanks to Carol’s guidance and everyone’s heartfelt intention to participate. With Carol’s support, I approached the process with no judgement, either of my child or of myself as a parent. I felt I was able to gain clarity, a sense of peacefulness and the inner strength needed for me to guide my son and understand him for who he is.’
Josh’s experience:
"Learning the practice of child contemplation completely shifted my relationship with my son, and my two daughters. What a blessing to have the space to observe— I mean, to truly observe one’s child with intention and presence, and to be able to practice this skill in community, with the mentorship, wisdom, love and masterfully held container that Carol creates. My wife and I saw a remarkable shift in some of my son’s “problem behaviors” and we didn’t change a thing other than learning to look though a slightly different lens”.
Cost of the 5-session process for three families - $ 450 per family
Child Contemplation can also be done with one family alone, and will cost $300 for three sessions.
Dates and times - To be negotiated.
I also offer face to face or online counselling and, if needed, ongoing support while parents make changes.
Who is it for?
Parents or caregivers of children.
What will you gain?
Clarity, compassion for and confidence in yourself, and creative tools for handling situations.
Testimonial
“‘I just had to write and let you know what an amazing week I have had with Blossom. I don’t want to speak too soon as only 5 days have passed since we met last Saturday! But obviously something in my whole approach changed (and improved for the better) after having consulted with you. It’s back to me being able to see all the wonderful qualities in my daughter, appreciating her developmental stage as you articulated so well, and really helped me to see where this was all coming from. So I want to say a huge thank you for that!’”