10
2011
Parenting Confidence
At the end of the day, confidence is the single most important aspect of how to approach parenting. Confidence does not by any means imply that you have all the answers, that you know what to do in every (or even most) situations, or that you ever stop learning. What confidence means is trusting yourself to proceed in this remarkably challenging and rewarding endeavor with the inner knowing that you have what it takes, that you have appropriate resources on hand, that you understand your own self well enough to modulate, reflect, and be flexible.
In many cases (my own included), becoming a parent gave me a sense of connection to something much larger that I had always desired and sought in my life. Suddenly the tangible, clear application of my actions and intentions was right before me, and it parlayed me into a sort of direction and bliss that I had never experienced. I am by no means saying that is was simple or that I understood much of what I was experiencing. All I mean is that when my older son was born over 26 years ago, I had an instinctive “awakening” that it was my mission to do whatever I could to take the best possible care of him (including resolving some old family of origin issues of my own). I do feel that over time, and with the birth of his siblings, I understood more and more what exquisite teachers I had right in my own little family!
The confidence which serves us well as parents is the wisdom and insight to see ourselves, our partners, and our children as the purveyors of the ultimate learning experiences we most need. Then we can parlay whatever behaviors, challenges, and perplexities we think we see before us into the most amazing self-exploration opportunity available. Our own growth is inevitable, and as it occurs, it supports those with whom we are closest.
Parenting confidence is essential to the most important job you’ll ever do. Be sure to equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support systems that work best for you. It’s a journey with limitless opportunities!
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