Intentional Parenting
As parents become more aware and emotionally healthy, their children reap the rewards and move toward health as well.
― Daniel J. Siegel
Parenting from the Inside out
What does that even mean? The single most important element of raising an emotionally healthy child is the parent or caregiver’s emotional health. The more presence, warmth, and safety you can give a child (even in the most challenging interactions), the more they will develop a positive sense of self.
When children feel good about themselves, they are more able to connect to others, learn new things, approach difficulties with confidence, and respond to set-backs with resilience.
Take a moment and think about your own emotional health. Are there parts of you that could use some extra support so that you can show up as your best self with your child? Are there particular times (eg, getting kids off media, meal time, bed time) that leave you upset?
What happens for you when you get frustrated with your child? The way you typically respond lays the blueprint for how your child will expect to be treated in future relationships.
For many parents, this can be a daunting reality. But it’s also EMPOWERING to consider just how much you can positively influence your child’s trajectory by showing up as your best self, even during the most difficult times.
Responding with warmth and curiosity helps your child feel seen, valued, and understood – key building blocks for developing a strong sense of self.
As a trauma therapist who has supported families for over 10 years, I hold deep compassion for the challenges parents face in difficult moments.
Working together, we will reflect on these challenges with curiosity and kindness. This can lead to a discovery of your own unmet emotional needs and how they might be surfacing in your relationship with your child. [This is the moment that you have the opportunity to show up differently to your child than your parents did for you. It’s called breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma.]
If prioritizing self-care is difficult for you (as it is for so many strapped and overworked parents), take a moment to reflect on the multi-generational positive impact that therapy can provide for your life, your child’s life, and the lives of future generations.
In our work together, I will help you tune into the wisdom of your mind and body to support your own healing. And in the process, you will likely discover a growing ability to welcome your full range of emotions with less fear, more ease, and a greater aliveness.
By nurturing what feeds you, you will experience more aliveness, play and connection.
It is from this place that you can put your best parenting foot forward.
Start Your Intentional Parenting Journey Today
Enhance your relationship with your child and embark on a journey of intentional parenting. Take the first step towards creating a more nurturing environment for your family.