- Special Parenting Retreat
Rediscover the Joy of Parenting
Create a lasting connection with your inner peace, so you can connect more joyfully with your children
- Tools for emotional regulation & inner balance
- Gentle guidance back to your own inner wisdom
- Silence, meditation & grounding practices
100+ retreats
- Award-Winning Author, Speaker, and Counselor
Rediscover the Joy of Parenting
Create a lasting connection with your inner peace, so you can connect more joyfully with your children
- Tools for emotional regulation & inner balance
- Gentle guidance back to your own inner wisdom
- Silence, meditation & grounding practices
100+ retreats
1000+ participants
- A special collaberation
Why This Retreat is Unique for Parents
Parenting is a journey of profound love, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Do you often feel exhausted by the endless demands, disconnected from your own sense of self, or caught in a cycle of emotional reactivity? You're not alone, and you don't have to keep holding it all together.
- This is a journey inward, not therapy, designed to help you:
- Tap into your own innate wisdom as a parent.
- Uncover the power to respond with more clarity, empathy, and confidence.
- Reconnect deeply with your breath, body, and inner landscape.
- Create the space for your own powerful insights to emerge from within.
- Award-Winning Author, Speaker, and Counselor
Meet Allison Edwards
Allison Edwards is a leading expert in mental health and mother of 2 young children, renowned for her ability to simplify complex brain science into practical, effective strategies for families. With a career spanning over 25 years, she has dedicated her professional life to helping parents and children manage emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience.
Her unique approach, which forms the foundation of her teachings on this retreat, empowers you with actionable tools rooted in a deep understanding of emotional regulation
- Your Guide to Stillness & Inner Peace
Meet Ellen van Iersel
Ellen Van Iersel is a highly experienced meditation teacher who creates the deep, transformative space that only true silence can offer. As a certified MBSR trainer, her role in this retreat is to guide you into your own inner landscape, helping the noise of daily life to settle.
With a background as a dedicated teacher and mentor at a high school and as a mother of two young adults, Ellen brings a unique and profound empathy for the challenges of family life.
Her guidance provides the foundation of calm and clarity needed to integrate the practical tools Allison offers, allowing for lasting and meaningful change
- A Unique Collaboration
The Story Behind This Retreat
This retreat began with a shared understanding. As an expert dedicated to helping families, Allison Edwards first attended one of Ellen’s Silent Meditation Retreats as a participant.
She experienced the deep value that true, guided silence provides—an opportunity to find the inner calm and clarity that is often missing in a busy parent's life.
Recognizing a powerful combination, Allison and Ellen decided to collaborate. They created this unique retreat to blend the profound inner work of a silent meditation experience with the practical, supportive tools parents need, helping them connect with themselves to better connect with their children.
Teachings
Allison will lead daily talks on emotion regulation, deep listening and connection. She will help parents learn:
Regulate your own emotions when things feel overwhelming, preventing you from falling back into old stress patterns.
Understand what it means to truly listen to your child without trying to fix or control.
Stay grounded and calm in moments of chaos or conflict, knowing that presence and awareness are key to regulation.
Strengthen connection through presence rather than striving for perfection.
Pause before reacting, making all the difference in your interactions.
Gain insights into how what was modeled for you affects your parenting now.
What to expect
Silence, meditation & grounding practices
Dive deep into stillness to cultivate inner peace and clarity.
Tools for emotional regulation and inner balance
Learn practical strategies to manage your own emotions, even in moments of chaos.
Gentle guidance back to your own inner wisdom
Reconnect with your intuition and inherent strength as a parent.
Spaciousness, nature, and nourishing connection
Enjoy Spanish nature, nourishing meals, and the supportive connection of fellow parents.
Journaling practices
Reflect on your parenting journey, uncover patterns, and gain new perspectives.
FAQ
Can I talk to my kids while I’m away?
We know this is your number one question! While we understand your love and desire to be there for your children, this time is truly for you. You can show your love by sending loving thoughts and by returning home as a more grounded, centered version of yourself. In case of emergency, there will be a contact number for the retreat center.
Is psychotherapy a component of this retreat?
No, this retreat does not include psychotherapy or group processing. Rather than focusing on talking through experiences, this retreat is designed to help you gently turn inward—to reconnect with your breath, body, and inner landscape. It’s a space for stillness, reflection, and self-awareness, not analysis or outward expression.
While guided practices and supportive presence are offered, the emphasis is on creating space for your own insights to emerge—without needing to explain or perform. This is a retreat for being, not doing; for listening deeply to yourself, not retelling your story.
Can I talk during the retreat?
There will be specific times you can talk such as during small groups but most of the retreat will be in silence. This will provide the space needed to reflect and be present with yourself – which is a luxury for a busy parent.
Do I need prior meditation experience to attend?
Absolutely not! This retreat is designed for parents at all levels of experience, from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. Our expert facilitators, Ellen and Allison, will provide gentle guidance and support throughout the silent periods and during all practices. The emphasis is on reconnecting with yourself, and no prior experience is necessary to embark on this journey.
What if I find the silence challenging?
It’s completely normal to feel some apprehension about extended periods of silence, especially as a busy parent! The silence is a profound gift, offering a rare opportunity to truly turn inward. We create a deeply supportive and nurturing environment. Our facilitators are skilled in holding this space, and there will be specific times for mindful discussion and small group interactions to support your process. Remember, this time is for you to be, not to do, and we encourage you to embrace whatever arises with curiosity and compassion.
Is this retreat suitable for parents of children of all ages?
Yes, this retreat is designed for parents navigating any stage of the parenting journey, whether you have toddlers, school-aged children, or teenagers. While Allison’s examples may span different age groups, the core principles of emotional regulation, mindful communication, and strengthening connection are universal and highly applicable to any parent seeking to cultivate more calm, clarity, and presence in their family life.
How will these tools help me once I return home to my family?
This retreat is specifically designed to equip you with practical, brain-based tools and a renewed sense of inner calm that you can immediately integrate into your daily life. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your own emotional responses and those of your children, learn effective communication strategies, and discover how to respond with presence rather than reaction. Many participants find they return home feeling more grounded, joyful, and able to navigate the demands of parenting with greater ease and intentionality, transforming their relationships and their overall family dynamic.
Booking info
You’re one step closer to a deeply transformative experience. Below, you’ll find all the essential details for the Full Silent Meditation Retreat—including upcoming dates, your investment, and what’s included—presented clearly to help you plan your journey.
Retreat Location: Casas Benali, Valencia, Spain
- Next Dates
- 23-27 October
- Investment
- €1500,- Earlybrid
- €1800,- Normal ticket
- Early bird until July 31
- Extras
- €300,- Single room
- This includes
- Full retreat program
- Accomodation & meals
- Pick-up & drop-off from Xativa
Practical Info
How do I get to the retreat venue, Casas Benali?
The retreat takes place at Casas Benali, located in the mountains south of Valencia, Spain. We organize complimentary pick-ups from Xàtiva city train station, which is easily reachable from Valencia & Alicante airports. Full travel information will be provided after you sign up. Direct airport pick-up from Valencia or Alicante airports can also be arranged; please contact us for pricing and coordination.
What is the booking process like?
Booking your place is simple:
1. Click the “Reserve Your Place Now” or “Book retreat” button
2. Fill out the secure sign-up form.
3. You’ll receive a welcome email with all further information and a payment link to confirm your spot.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation conditions are as follows: *
30+ days before retreat start: 100% refund of payment made. Options to change to another date or transfer your spot to someone else are also available.
15-29 days before retreat start: 50% refund of payment made. Options to change to another date or transfer your spot are also available.
8-14 days before retreat start: 25% refund of payment made. Options to change to another date or transfer your spot are also available.
0-7 days before retreat start: No refund is possible, but you may transfer your spot to someone else. We highly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payments via stripe. Secure payment instructions for the deposit will be provided in your welcome and booking confirmation emails.
More questions? or want a chat before booking
Book a Call, or Simply send us a message
