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Conscious Parenting
Parenting — The Conscious Way
There's a strong perspective in the South Asian community that defines the success of a parent based on what their child does and accomplishes. This perspective stems from cultural expectations or from older generations, and it can be very hard on today’s parent. I’d like to challenge you to see your parental role as a spiritual gift as opposed to an aspired achievement.
Something beautiful happens when we choose to become parents and bring our children into this world. We start to see the world differently and have the opportunity to experience the world in a whole new way. The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children by Dr. Shefali Tsabary provides much insight on how we can let our own children guide us to live more fulfilling lives and subsequently be even better parents. There isn’t a perfect manual on how to raise your child. However, the very act of being present and conscious provides answers on what to do in difficult situations. Ponder on some of the following points to see a new way of experiencing parenthood.
In Order to Accept Your Children, You Need to Accept Yourself
Oh, this is a big one, people. You will find yourself in many scenarios where your self-worth will be tested by your child’s disagreeable behaviours. Your loving nature will be tried when your young child challenges what you strongly believe is the “right” way to act and behave. During these times, catch yourself when you react negatively — as this is a true indication of your ego flaring up, judging your child and furthermore judging yourself harshly. More than likely, this reaction is due to a lack of self-acceptance that's preventing you from fully accepting your child as they are in this moment.
Children Are Here to Fulfill their Dreams and Potential, Not Yours
“When we mold our children to meet our expectations, we resist who they are, which sows the seeds of dysfunction.” The Conscious Parent explains this statement in more detail, with stories illustrating how this phenomenon plays out in the parent-child relationship.
Dysfunctions continue and new ones are sown when we resist the paths our children choose for themselves. When we use our parental role to mold our children into whom we want them to be, we teach our children to ignore their intuition and their true calling in this lifetime, stifling them and stopping them from fully pursuing their true paths. This resistance instills unhealthy behaviours and mindsets that prevent our children's souls from being free to explore and tap into natural gifts that we can nurture.
Let Your Child In
We often underestimate the beautiful places and experiences that our children can take us to when we simply let them into our lives. I personally never thought I would be staring at bugs, dancing with my children or running after them like I was a child myself. However, these moments brought me closer to my own children. To experience this, you need to be present, which very quickly allows your children to enter your life in meaningful ways. Children don’t have the filters we do as adults, so they very easily speak their truth, which ultimately opens up doors to healing and adventure.
Let your children in. They will take you to places you never imagined.
Feature Image:i.telegraph.co.uk
Yvonne Sinniah
Author
Yvonne Sinniah (@YvonneSinniah) is a Relations Advisor and inspirational speaker focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. She is on a mission to meet a nee...
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