Being a parent means making mistakes — and plenty of them. At different times I’ve been mean, moody, shallow, critical, and neglectful. I’ve made wrong choices and handled things badly. I’ve hurt the child I promised to care for and protect. We may be divine beings masquerading as mere mortals, but we are never more human than in our role as parents.
They push our buttons like nobody else can. In the grand scheme of things we understand our upsets are opportunities to deal with whatever personal issues are being triggered at the time — bringing them into the light to be dealt with. If we’re lucky, we manage to introduce an element of perspective, patience, and above all forgiveness into our daily struggles.
Being a parent means you have a companion on your journey who is affected by your shortcomings. But if you strive to stay authentic and come from your heart, you and your child will manage to thrive despite these occasional shortcomings. When you stray from your heart — and we all do — that’s when you most need to forgive yourself. Know that the foundation of love you laid down in the past will get you through passing difficulties. Your children are resilient; they respond quickly when you eventually regain your center and are able to respond to them from a loving place. A hug and perhaps an apology go a long way to righting any perceived wrongs.
Of course, by treating yourself with kindness when you falter, your children will internalize the same compassion for themselves. Rather than getting stuck in self-criticism and blame, they’ll be able move more quickly and easily though their own emotional upsets.
They push our buttons like nobody else can. In the grand scheme of things we understand our upsets are opportunities to deal with whatever personal issues are being triggered at the time — bringing them into the light to be dealt with. If we’re lucky, we manage to introduce an element of perspective, patience, and above all forgiveness into our daily struggles.
Being a parent means you have a companion on your journey who is affected by your shortcomings. But if you strive to stay authentic and come from your heart, you and your child will manage to thrive despite these occasional shortcomings. When you stray from your heart — and we all do — that’s when you most need to forgive yourself. Know that the foundation of love you laid down in the past will get you through passing difficulties. Your children are resilient; they respond quickly when you eventually regain your center and are able to respond to them from a loving place. A hug and perhaps an apology go a long way to righting any perceived wrongs.
Of course, by treating yourself with kindness when you falter, your children will internalize the same compassion for themselves. Rather than getting stuck in self-criticism and blame, they’ll be able move more quickly and easily though their own emotional upsets.
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