Are you a parent who feels stuck, hopeless, worried, or scared on your parenting journey?
Do you feel like you’re a broken record player on repeat?
Well, you’re not alone. Many parents experience these feelings and wonder how they can become the parent they are destined to be: loving, compassionate, kind, and caring.
The good news is that I believe everybody has the potential to shine their light and feel happy as a parent. But sometimes, our deeply rooted belief systems can hold us back from being the parent we want to be. That’s why AWARENESS is the key to unlocking the door to greater communication and connection with our children.
Follow this exercise and I’ll help you discover the secrets to supporting your child by unfolding and nurturing yourself. You may feel triggered at times, but that’s normal. We all have parts of ourselves that are afraid, helpless, and stuck. However, when we release and let go of those parts, magic happens in our parenting world.
So, let’s dive deeper and get to know ourselves better. Let’s find the parts we want to let go of to feel more empowered as parents. With this guide, you can start shining your light and becoming the parent you are destined to be.
What are you ready to release and let go of as a parent?
Before you dive into the questions, use this exercise to find a safe and comfortable place you can always return to.
- Find a comfortable spot where you will not be disturbed
- Place your hand on your heart
- Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose for the count of 5 and breathe out through your mouth for 5 – repeat 5 times
- Think of a place you feel safe, calm and relaxed and continue to breathe in and out until you know you can access this space anytime
Now answer these questions:
- As a parent, what are your greatest fears and how do they impact your parenting?
- Are there any unfulfilled needs from your own childhood that continue to affect you today? If so, how?
- How do these fears and unmet needs make you feel, and how do they influence your parenting style?
- Do you think your fears and parenting style are truly your own, or are they influenced by your parents or cultural background?
- If you could let go of these fears and negative patterns, how would that feel? How would it transform your relationship with your child?
- What are your strengths as a parent, and how do you hope to pass them down to your children?
- How do you manage your emotions in challenging parenting situations?
- What kind of example are you setting for your children, and what are they learning from you?
- What changes would you like to make in your parenting style to deepen your connection with your child?
With new self-awareness, you can live more consciously as a parent.
Imagine being able to navigate through your child’s journey with a deeper awareness of what triggers you and having the tools to feel and be more connected to you child.
- How will you be feeling?
- What are you doing more of with your child/teen?
- What are you learning?
- How are you spending time with yourself, your friends and family?
Now that you’ve gained some insights on how self-awareness can help you become a better parent, it’s time to take action. Reflect on the questions raised in this article and take some time to explore your own fears, strengths, and patterns in parenting. Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
Remember that being a parent is a journey, and there’s always room for growth and improvement. Start by implementing small changes in your parenting style and see how it affects your relationship with your child. And most importantly, continue to prioritize your own personal growth and well-being, as it will inevitably benefit your child and your family as a whole.
So go ahead, take that first step towards deeper connection with your child. You’ve got this!
Created by Claire Linturn
If would like support please reach out and contact me at hello@clairelinturn.com to be added to my mailing list and receive my Free EBook Mastering the A.R.T of Parenting – simple type Parenting in the subject and I will send you over the Ebook with a special gift.
For more information about working with your child check out www.clairelinturn.com/hypnotherapy-teens-young-adults or head over to www.freeyoungminds.com