No parent I know, including myself, learns to parent in one fell swoop. Parenting is a process. We learn new things with every new challenge that presents itself. Each child and each situation builds new parenting skills and each challenge, no matter how difficult or trying, offers new opportunities to learn together as parent and child.
Children are very observant and they learn the most through observation. Let’s face it-children are generally not good listeners, and for that matter, few adults are really good listeners either, so being a good example for your children is a very important teaching tool.
Being mindful and giving intent to the qualities you want for your children is important, but it is equally important to model those qualities in your own behavior and vibration.
Kids respond to what they see, and they feel our vibration. What we send their way in thoughts, beliefs, and expectations has a profound effect on our children. We must inspire them from our own place of alignment, or highest self, or highest vibration.
With time and experience, you can learn to demonstrate through your own vibration and behavior how you deal with different situations you encounter in your life every day. Your children will take note of how you handle different situations.
When challenging situations arise, one of the best approaches is to demonstrate calmness and a non-judgmental attitude.
When your children are tempted to judge themselves or others it is useful to help them see the bigger picture. If others are judging your child, remind them that others lash out because of what might be happening in their personal lives.
If kids are tempted to judge others, you can remind them that they do not know the life path of the other person. Encourage them to check in with their own internal guidance system, and focus on getting to a place of compassion and non-judgment, rather than reacting with anger or revenge.
It is imperative to model non-reactive choices in dealing with life’s most challenging moments. For example, when my favorite car was totaled in an accident that was not my fault, I was sad but I wasn’t angry because I felt lucky that I, and my dog, both escaped any serious injury. I was in fact, grateful. I even wrote a note to the other driver whose car was also totaled, and expressed the hope that they too were okay. Children take note of how you handle situations. Here, my children saw compassion, an absence of anger or retribution, and gratitude for personal safety and health.
Naturally, there are times we are not completely in control of our behavior. When that happens, you can expect your children to call you out immediately. They are quick to identify contradictions between words and behaviors. Be grateful for them and their ability to hold you accountable. Thank them, and then do what you know is fair and right according to your internal guidance system.
In the end, being the kind of person you want to inspire your children to become, and living the life you want to inspire them to live is the best rule of thumb for parenting.
As a parent and survivor, Sharon Ballantine practices and teaches gratitude on a daily basis, for herself and her family. Sharon has offered coaching and mentoring to help improve people’s lives since 2007, when she was certified as a Law of Attraction Life Coach from Quantum Success Coaching Academy. In 2011, she graduated from The Four Winds Society –Light Body School of Energy Medicine, founded by Alberto Villoldo PhD. To learn more about Ballantine and how she can help you to achieve your magical life please visit http://www.SharonBallantine.com.