Mindfulparenting
Embark on a transformative journey with our four-part course designed to enhance your caregiving experience through mindfulness. In today's fast-paced world, balancing the demands of parenting and caregiving with work and personal life can be challenging. This course offers a blend of theory and experiential learning, guiding you through practical mindfulness techniques and meditations. Dive into the realms of self-awareness, mindful communication, and compassionate parenting to foster deeper connections with the young people in your life and cultivate a more present, loving, and balanced family environment.
This is a 4-part, self-paced course that can be completed in your own time.
Who should attend?
Any parent or caregiver seeking to deepen their connection with the young people in their lives and improve their caregiving experience through mindfulness techniques.
Fees
$150 (incl GST)
Duration:
- 4 weeks
Enrolments:
- Open year-round from 19 Jan - 29 Dec 2026.
- Participants can commence at any time and will receive 8 weeks of course access.
- Or book a dedicated run for your team. Contact M3CS@monash.edu
Discounts and group concessions
M3CS supports individuals and organisations striving to create positive impact and offers concessions and group discounts to help those with limited resources. Whether you are planning a community event, conducting research, running professional development programs or providing essential support services, we understand the challenges individuals and organisations can face. That's why we encourage you to reach out to us today and explore how we can work together to meet your specific needs and create positive change.
- 20% discount for Monash Staff, Monash Alumni and Students
- 25% discount for groups of 50-200
- 30% discount for groups 200+
* Discount codes can be applied at Checkout after Checkout Now.
** Monash staff can use a Cost Centre and Fund. Login via your Monash account at Checkout Now and select ‘Staff Cost Centre and Fund’.
*** Payment by invoice is available. Click Checkout Now and select ‘Pay By Invoice’
Contact m3cs@monash.edu and let us help you.
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.
Course 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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Dr Luke Smith
Dr Luke Smith is a clinical neuropsychologist who has a passion for mindfulness education and skills training. He is a tutor and mentor in mindfulness-based electives at Monash University and facilitates mindfulness workshops for staff and students to help support their well-being and performance in study and at work.
Dr Sherelle Connaughton, PhD
Dr Sherelle Connaughton is the Education Coordinator at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, where she has leadership in the design and delivery of the Centre’s education to undergraduate and postgraduate students. A highly experienced mindfulness practitioner, Sherelle possesses a deep passion for the transformative potential of mindfulness and is a gifted educator in the field.
Professor Craig Hassed
Professor Craig Hassed, OAM is a doctor and the education director of the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies and coordinator of mindfulness programs across Monash University. Craig also works in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.