The challenge of parenting? It doesn’t come with a “How To” manual.
It DOES come with an incredible mixture of joy, confusion, self-doubt, FRUSTRATION, chaos, pride, exhaustion, adventure, “NOW what?” “How do I…” “STOP IT” “I just don’t know…” “I’m scared.” “Why won’t they…” “WOW…”
It comes with eye
-rolling, BIG feelings (yours and theirs!), tumultuous times, even-keeled times, in-between times. It can come with judgment, acceptance, guilt, real and meaningful connection, no sleep, too much sleep if you have a teen-ager, and joy–did I mention JOY?
What a journey! And it requires US to grow. To become increasingly better at managing OUR feelings so our children can manage theirs. To become clearer in just what we are wanting for our kids…our future adults…our relationships. It requires us to let go, go with the flow, stick to our promises made, do the hard AND the fun of all of it.
Three resources of mine that can really help you figure out just HOW TO do this parenting deal well include “Parenting Through Relationship”, “PAUSE: The Power of Parenting (and Living) with Calm Connection” and “Parenting Inspired; Finding Grace in the Chaos, Confidence in Yourself, and Gentle Joy along the Way.”
Know that can be successfully absorbed in the brief bits of time you actually have, include stories of parents JUST LIKE YOU, have practical and simple steps that help YOU parent well, and my own stories and words of wisdom gleaned through the years woven throughout.
Know that these books can and will bring you relief, laughter, encouragement and yes, even inspire you to do the hard work of creating the change you really want.
The cool thing is…they are all about YOU. No advice, no “you should”, no one way only. Because parenting? Though there are hard and fast “rules” such as developmental stages our children go through, what works for one may be and often is entirely different from what works for the next. Both in regards to your kids AND each of us as parents.
Know that my books are way more about discovering what IS working for you, what YOUR strengths and abilities are, what works with YOUR child and in YOUR family…and culture…and…
Check them out.
Make it great today. YOU and your kids are worth all the hard work you are doing. Keep it up and know you have lots of company!
With JOY and appreciation,
Alice
Author and Parent Coach