At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Srividya Mohan for an exclusive interview with us. Srividya is an Entrepreneur and Founder of Mindful Moments. Let’s learn more about her background, her journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Srividya:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My professional journey started as a 24/7 parent. The journey from Mom to a Parent Wellness Coach has been a journey of reflections, introspections and evolution of the self.
After my graduation in commerce, joined the University of Motherhood. As a typical Indian 90s parent, my focus was more on the responsibilities of a parent than the parent-child bonding. The bonding was assumed to be always there because of the nature of the relationship. The teenage phase of my sons was the starting point of my journey as a Parent Coach.
I was desperately looking for answers- Why do children misbehave? How do they learn to misbehave? Why do they lose focus? How do parents deal with this misbehaviour crisis? In my quest for answers, I rejoined college at the age of 40 and successfully completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Counseling Psychology from D.E.S Pune.
I started getting the answers and I continued my learning – MS in Counseling & Psychotherapy from IBMS – Chittoor, Post Graduate Diploma in TESOL/TEFOL with specialization in Young Learners – Asian College of Teachers, a CPD certified course for Mindfulness Trainer.
I found my answers and wanted to help parents who are looking for answers. I curated modules for Mindful Parenting workshops on stress-free and guilt-free parenting. I established Mindful Moments to build a community of Mindful Parents. I have been conducting workshops on Mindful Parenting since 2014.
‘Mindful Moments’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
Mindful Moments – the name reflects the power of NOW. Our life is a collection of all our NOW moments. Being mindful in the NOW moment helps us to sync our Thoughts, Feelings and Actions.
I empower parents to make their own choices. Every parent should make their own parenting tips and strategies. Knowledge is the key to being empowered. At Mindful Moments, parents understand the significant concepts like Neuroplasticity, Role of Sense Organs, Emotional & logical Brain, Me Time, Couple Time & Family time, Communication Patterns, Memory Bank and Mindfulness. We work on the core belief – Children are a reflection of the parent’s inner self.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
The biggest challenge is to create awareness. Mistake is a component of growth. If we split the word – “Mistake”, Its Mis+Take. When we miss what is to be taken it becomes a mistake. When a child misbehaves, it’s a mistake.
The child has missed to learn a particular pattern of expression. Any misbehaviour of a child needs an effort from both the parent and child, and not just the child.
When the going gets tough, I pause, reflect and upskill myself. I continue with improvisations. My mission keeps me going. I want to build a community of Mindful parents.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1. There can be more than one right. Any number of rights can co-exist, but one right and one wrong cannot co-exist.
2. Words are very powerful. We have to use them mindfully.
3. Children listen when they are heard.
In your opinion what are the keys to Mindful Parenting?
I will say it straight that there are many factors but if you really have to have the key elements then to me these are the ones:
> Children respond to love and respect.
> An understanding of key Parenting Concepts.
> Parenting is all about the parent.
> Mastering the art of expressing the required action.
> Unconditional acceptance
> Positive Attitude
> Communication
What advice would you give parents who are looking for solutions to parenting challenges?
Every challenge comes with an opportunity. Parenting challenges are reflections of unproductive learning patterns.
Be in the present moment, look at behaviors as patterns and break unproductive pattern. Always keep the communication channel open for the child.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Feedback from parents is the most satisfying moment. Interaction with every parent and every child is a learning experience for me.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
