Parenting Blog

The patience to listen, the big-heartedness to see it from their side, the self-discipline to not take your bad mood out on your child, the willingness to embrace your child's full emotional life while helping her make wise choices about her actions, the motivation to keep doing this every day when no one else really understands what it takes out of you. Knowing there's no way to do it perfectly but nothing gives you a better opportunity to grow, and you get paid in pure love.

Great parents work really hard, but the most important work is invisible; they just show up. They give up on perfection and nurture themselves so they have something to give their kids. They courageously let go of doing what looks good and start doing what feels right. They shut out the interrupting world and create sanctuary.  They sit on the couch whenever possible, and focus on the invisible tasks of parenting:

Creating engrossing dinner table conversation...Reflecting their kids’ feelings...Tummy time with the baby...Floor time with the toddler...Bedtime snuggles with the elementary schooler...Couch time with the tween...Walks with the teen...Family game night...Helping kids think about the world and explore their emerging passions... Supporting kids in solving their own problems...Pillow fights...Star-gazing...Listening.... Laughing...Lighting candles...Connecting....Making miracles.

Thank you for inspiring me

from Dr. Laura Markham