Parenting Blog

“You cannot simultaneously feel bad about what you have done and focus on what you must do differently.”

— Becky Bailey

"Our wounds can become our source of power." -- Gail Larsen

Yesterday when you thought about forgiveness, did you notice who's the hardest person to forgive?

Yes, ourselves.  Parents, being human, are never perfect.  And children have an unerring ability to trigger us, expose our wounded places, draw out our unreasonable fears and angers.

The good news is that it's never too late to improve things with our kids.  Even better, we can use these triggering interactions to heal ourselves and our relationship with our child.  Like our own live-in zen master or therapist, our children give us the perfect opportunity to grow. 

Next time your child pushes your buttons, consider this:  Maybe this upset has little to do with your child, and lots to do with you.  Proceed accordingly. 

Almost magically, as we bless our wounds with compassion, we find that these hurt places inform us, motivate us, make us better parents.  So forgive yourself for your past mistakes. Thank your child for pushing your buttons.  And move on together into a better future.