Innate Wholeness

Part of the transformational parenting journey from overwhelm to harmony includes the valuable tool of transitioning one’s perspective. One way to do this is observe our children and make questionable or undesirable behaviors into strengths.

Some examples of this might be…

• the toddler who climbs on everything becomes an adventurous, graceful child
• the child who doesn’t clean up after herself becomes the child who loves creative play and is okay being surrounded by all of the things she uses to play
• the child who “talks back” becomes the child who is able to express his feelings
• the child who storms away and pouts when angry becomes the child who takes space to herself when she needs it

Certainly you have your own list of strengths that can be recognized in your child(ren).

While we may as parents be able to view the climbing toddler as the graceful child, when we leave the house or others are present, the story can change. It is natural to consider what others think, until of course, we feel so sure that we no longer question ourselves even when confronted about our children or our parenting.

When others express concern or judgment out of fear and cultural expectations, those of us on the transformational parenting path must root ourselves further in our truth. Prepare yourself for outside opinions and convince yourself first. The rest will follow.

It’s possible your next grocery outing could go like this… As your toddler confidently rides the shopping cart as if it’s a magic carpet, with you close by to support, you may feel the stare of on-lookers.

Smile and acknowledge their concern with your claim, “Isn’t she amazing? She’s won an Acrobat award for this! Really, she has great balance and form, doesn’t she?” It’s fine that the parent is the award giver and you might just be surprised with the resulting smiles and sighs of relief.

Whatever your child’s age, what behaviors can you turn into strengths?