Slow parenting - what is it and what does it involve?

Do you feel like the pace of your family life is increasing day by day? Do you feel constantly overstimulated and exhausted by household chores? You don't have to be constantly on the go! Slow parenting, or parenting in a spirit of calm and mindfulness, is an approach that prioritizes quality over quantity. See why this can help you better understand your children and yourself.

Slow parenting – what is it?

Slow parenting is an approach that aims to slow the pace of family life. The idea is not to overload children with activities, not to put them in situations where they must constantly compete with others and strive to improve in multiple areas. Of course, extracurricular activities can be useful and bring a lot of joy, but signing your child up for dance lessons, foreign languages, or art classes won't make them masters of everything or make them enjoy each activity equally. Slow parenting prioritizes everyday life: seemingly ordinary, quality time spent together.

This approach doesn't neglect a child's development—on the contrary, it naturally supports them, allowing for greater freedom and creativity. In practice, this means that instead of living in constant haste, it's worth focusing on what truly matters: relationships and being present in the here and now.

What is slow parenting? We explain!

Slow parenting primarily involves slowing down and taking things easy. We have some practical tips for you that will help you better understand this model of parenting and how to interact with your child.

1. Reduce overstimulation and activities – we are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, tasks, and activities we undertake every day. Children who are overloaded with responsibilities can feel stressed and pressured. Therefore, it's worth limiting the number of activities and giving your child time to relax and spontaneously explore the world.
2. Spend more time on shared activities – we often forget how important shared meals, conversations, and daily rituals are. Slow parenting is about spending quality time together, free from distractions like television or phones.
3. Be mindful and present – ​​if you slow down and fully engage in what you're doing with your child, you'll begin to build a deeper bond. Being present is a skill that can be developed in every daily activity – whether cooking together or playing outdoors.
4. Respect your child's individuality – slow parenting also means respecting your child's personality and natural needs. Allow them to make mistakes, develop their own passions, and discover the world at their own pace.

Slow parenting and everyday life

You don't have to quit your job, move to the countryside, or completely change your lifestyle. Applying the idea of ​​slow parenting to your daily routine is a matter of making a few small, conscious decisions that will have a positive impact on your family. How do you get started? Follow our advice!

• Plan a day without responsibilities – what would happen if you gave up all planned activities for one day a week? Spontaneity is an important part of slow parenting. Then you can simply relax, play, or go for a walk, without the pressure of time.
• Change the way you organize your day – don't let it be one big rush. Sometimes it's worth getting up 10 minutes earlier to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and prepare for the day without rushing. Find a space for everyone to relax!
• Spend time outdoors – a walk in the park, a bike ride, or observing nature together – these are activities that teach your child to connect with the world around them. Make nature a part of your daily routine.
• Give up perfectionism – no one has to be perfect. Slow parenting is about accepting yourself and your child, with their mistakes and joys, without the pressure to achieve the best results in every area.

Clothes as a gift for a 9-year-old, 10-year-old and 11-year-old child, or what a beginner needs

Little students are slowly figuring out what they like to wear, so it's best to leave the clothing craze to their parents . Both boys and girls at this age are honest, so you'll definitely notice their dissatisfaction if a gift isn't appropriate. What's the best gift for a child aged 10 or younger? You can always choose to buy books . Reading develops imagination and improves spelling. Engaging stories from other worlds can make a child more willing to read required reading later, and immersing themselves in their content becomes enjoyable and relaxing. This is also a great gift idea for an 11-year-old. However, if a book alone isn't enough for you, you can also pair it with a game or puzzle , which will allow you to spend quality time together.

Family time without rushing – ideas for joint activities from Endo

Slow parenting is all about relationships – not pace, not schedules, not checklists . Just slow down and find joy in everyday moments. Shared activities don't have to be spectacular – quite the opposite! The most magical things often lie in the simplest things.

Try it:

• Organize a home theater – create a set from blankets and cardboard, make paper or sock puppets, choose a well-known fairy tale, or create your own story. This type of activity is a great exercise in imagination and courage in performing in front of an audience. You can also use ready-made character templates prepared by our graphic designers – you can find more information in the post about Japanese theater for children ;
• Bake something delicious together – cooking is great fun! Each of you choose one ingredient, and then create your dream bake together. It's a great opportunity for children to explore flavors, learn patience, and… clean up after culinary experiments.
• Create a home laboratory – simple experiments with baking soda, vinegar, or food coloring can turn your kitchen counter into a true science center. Learning through play? Absolutely!

If you're looking for ready-made inspiration, check out our section of educational games and activities for children – you'll find origami with stickers, dominoes, decorations to stick on, and many other options.

Think again about:

• board games – preferably those that engage the whole family, teach cooperation or healthy competition;
• active games – tug-of-war in the garden, an obstacle course in the living room, jumping rope. Children use up excess energy, and adults feel like children again;
• creative activities – painting with paints, creating a family tree, making jewelry from pasta – all this develops fine motor skills and is a lot of fun.

If the weather's nice, it's worth having a lazy picnic in the park or on your balcony. A blanket, a basket of fruit, a book of fairy tales, and greenery all around – that's all you need. It's not about doing more . It's about doing it together – and being truly present in it.

Why is it worth considering applying the principles of slow parenting in your family life?

Time spent together in peace and mindfulness contributes to a deeper understanding of each other. Children who grow up in such an environment are more confident, creative, and have a stronger sense of security.

Taking a few precious moments to breathe, talk, and play together is an investment in your child's future and your own well-being. Choosing slow parenting is choosing to live consciously. This gives your child space to develop naturally, and you time for what truly matters. Get inspired by our suggestions for slow parenting in practice and see how it will positively impact your daily relationships.