A while ago I had a conversation with a gym member who I see most days. He was asking me about Yes Parenting. He asked how I managed to stick to my guns despite the response from the media and those that comment on the media. I said it was because I believe in Yes Parenting, my children demonstrate the effects of Yes Parenting and my clients rave about Yes Parenting.
•••• Do you say Yes to ideas, no matter how crazy, out of the blue or impractical they might be?! ••••
Saying Yes to an idea does not mean you then have to go ahead and fulfill said idea. It means opening up to what that idea might offer. When we say Yes, and we open up, it is incredible what magic is able to unfold.
I recently found myself feeling so excited after scheduling some exciting and important meetings in London with potential Agents. As the meetings approached I noticed that my excitement had rapidly turned to nervousness, even fear. This pattern is not new for me!
WHEN HAS CRITICISM EVER HELPED YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN?
Isn't it interesting how quickly we criticise ourselves and our children? Sometimes it can be very subtle but it's there - any time we see a behaviour or a quality that is 'less than' desirable from our perspective.
We can only begin to really understand our children's needs, and how to respond to them, if we're first recognising our own needs and meeting them.
Self Care is essential to parenting. Actually, it's essential to life. If you don't take care of yourself you're going to die out pretty quickly.
Sound dramatic?
CHOOSE COMPASSION, KINDNESS, ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING!
When we're at the point of punishment we have chosen to let our irritation, disappointment, anger or sadness take over. It is almost impossible to choose Punishment if we are in a place of compassion, kindness, acceptance and understanding.
LET YOUR DESIRE TO PUNISH BE AN INVITATION TO HEAL
When we start thinking about threatening consequences, dishing out punishment or even giving rewards, we are putting ourselves in a position of power *over* our children.
CHECK IN WITH YOUR INNER CHILD!
I've recently connected lots of dots and realised that our Inner Child is in the driving seat for much of our parenting.
• Every time you lean towards punishment I believe it's your Inner Child calling the shots.
• Noticing that you're turning into your own Mother? Yep, your Inner Child again.
FEAR AND CONTROL ARE NOBODY'S FRIEND!
Do you want to parent without using this approach?
Fear and Control are at the root of every single punishment, reward, consequence or bribe that have ever been used in parenting.
