Who should attend

Any parent or caregiver seeking to deepen their connection with the young people in their lives and improve their caregiving experience and bring greater presence, calm, and care to their role.

What you will learn

Learning objectives

• Grasp the Basics of Mindfulness: Understand what mindfulness is and how it can be integrated into daily caregiving.
• Self-Reflection and Understanding: Learn to identify personal parenting patterns and stress triggers to improve interactions with the young people in your life.
• Enhance Mindful Communication: Master techniques for mindful communication, aiding in stronger and more empathetic connections with your children.
• Cultivate Compassionate Parenting/Caregiving: Discover how compassion can transform your parenting and caregiving approach, deepening your relationship with your children and the young people in your life.
• Practical Application: Engage in mindful practices and meditations to apply these concepts in real-life scenarios, enhancing your overall parenting and caregiving experience.

Program structure

The course will consist of a range of offerings including videos to summarise key points, some text to flesh out those key points, guided practices, interactive discussion forums, feedback videos drawn from hot topics and questions arising from the week's discussion forums, self-assessment questionnaires, and further reading and resources if you are interested to learn more. You are in control of how far you take your learning. Do you just want to cover the basics? Do you want to go deeper? It's up to you.

• Session 1: Introduction to Mindfulness (1-2 hours)
  • Fundamentals of mindfulness in caregiving.
  • Cultivating mindfulness in your home environment.
• Session 2: Understanding Ourselves as Parents and Caregivers (1-2 hours)
  • Exploring personal parenting/caregiving styles and stress factors.
  • Mindfulness techniques for stress management.
• Session 3: Mindful Connection and Communication (1-2 hours)
  • Strategies for mindful communication with children.
  • Differentiating between responding and reacting.
• Session 4: Compassionate Parenting (1-2 hours)
  • Building compassion in caregiving.
  • Practices to deepen caregiver-child relationships.

Testimonials

"This course is an incredibly valuable resource for any parent wanting to raise their children with greater mindfulness and presence. One of the most meaningful takeaways for me was realising that simply being more present with my children naturally created a calmer, more loving home environment. Since completing the course I feel more grounded, confident, and connected in how I respond to my children’s needs and requests. It’s been a truly transformative experience." - Remote professional and full-time mum.

Dr Luke Smith

Dr Luke Smith is a clinical neuropsychologist with a strong interest in mindfulness education and its practical applications. At Monash University, he teaches and mentors in mindfulness-based electives and regularly facilitates workshops for staff and students. His work focuses on using mindfulness to support well-being, enhance focus and improve performance in both academic and workplace settings.

Professor Craig Hassed OAM

Professor Craig Hassed OAM is a leading figure in mindfulness and contemplative education, with over three decades at Monash University where he pioneered the integration of mindfulness into medical training. He is Director of Education at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, author of 14 books, and a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to medicine and health.

Dr Sherelle Connaughton

Dr Sherelle Connaughton is the Education Coordinator at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, where she leads the development and delivery of contemplative education across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. A skilled educator and experienced mindfulness practitioner, Sherelle has contributed to leading journals and co-facilitated globally recognised online programs supporting thousands of learners worldwide.

What is Mindfulness in Caregiving?

Mindfulness in caregiving involves being fully present and engaged with the young people in your life, understanding your reactions, and responding with awareness and compassion.

What does the course involve?

The course includes videos, articles, guided practices, self-assessment questionnaires, and additional resources and reading materials.

Is there any compulsory assessment in this course?

No. There is no compulsory assessment in this course.

How much time does the course take each week?

The course covers approximately 1-2 hours of content per week. This can be more or less depending on the time you choose to spend exploring additional resources, and exercises.

I don't have 1-2 hours per week available, can I still do the course and benefit?

Yes. You are in control of how far you take your learning. Do you just want to cover the basics? Do you want to go deeper? It's up to you. Many of the resources are downloadable so that you can keep the learnings and practice applying them in your own time.

Is the entire course viewable when the course commences?

Yes.

Do I receive a certificate at the end of the course?

Yes, after completion of an end-of-course survey.

How long do I get access to the course content?

You will have access to the course content for an extra 4 weeks after the course closes (course material is viewable for a total of 8 weeks).

Do I need any prior experience with mindfulness or meditation?

No, this course is designed for both beginners and those with some mindfulness experience.

Our organisation would like to have a dedicated run of the course for a large number of our staff only, is this possible?

Yes, please email m3cs@monash.edu to discuss.