Facebook memories truly are a gift! A chance to save a photo you thought was lost, to reminisce a milstone or vacation, etc. Today a memory popped up about parenting and I thought it appropriate to repost here on my blog.
I am the teacher/mentor/ringleader to three loud, quirky, wildly smart tiny humans. My parenting partner and I are works in progress in our own lives, still, the demand on parents for guidance is relentless, as my parenting instructor told our class years ago.
Healthy Happens Every Day is here to be your partner in parenting. Modeling healthy behavior is by far one of the best gifts we give to our children. When we know better we do better and I am ready to walk with you in this journey! Fill out the contact form, call, or email and please know, I am #TeamYou all day every day.
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Nov 30, 2017
People often criticize me for having expectations that are too high, specifically of my spouse and children.
What those people don’t realize, or fail to notice, is that I was given three children that will one day be adults. I am responsible for equipping them with the tools and skills they will need to BE adults.
My challenge for myself and for the other parents out there is to dismiss the notion that having expectations of parenting is wrong. Want more! Do more! Be more! Teach more!
If I, as the primary parent, am not willing to put in that work, I am resigning that job to someone else. Consider what that means to you?
It does take a village to raise a child, I know because I am a grateful product of that village.
What I am emphasizing is this, we don’t realize as parents that our thoughts, feelings, and emotions are secondary to the fleeting teachable moments. Our kids learn from us in moments we don’t even realize have happened! My parenting parter, my spouse, said it takes days to move forward and seconds to move backwards. We make what we think is a minor comment, a minor brush off, a minor overlook without even realizing we’ve taught our child something, or worse, missed the OPPORTUNITY to teach something.
This is the single most important job you will ever do, give it the weight and respect it deserves! These aren’t just children, these are future husbands and wives, future mothers and fathers, future team leads, and foremen, and bosses. Where else are they going to learn to say “I’m sorry”, where else are they going to learn to advocate for themselves, where else are they going to learn conflict resolution, where else are they going to learn accountability, fiscal responsibility, physical wellness, spiritual guidance, giving back, and gratitude?
It starts at home and radiates out to all the people with which we surround ourselves. So build a network, a tribe, a community that fosters your values. Love yourself. Be commited to growth. Accept grace. Recognize the awe-some magnitude of the gift you have been given. These gifts are the future; live, love, and parent them with intention.
Healthy Happens Every Day 