I love the times with friends and family where the children are running around wildly with crunched Cheerios and muddy footprints splashed across the floor. Because there’s so much noise, so much work, and just so much ease found within the chaos. An ease that I find comfort in, knowing that there is something bigger being had - bigger than myself and even bigger than my kids. An ease in knowing that my kids are in a safe place, where they can be themselves while living within our boundaries.
But unfortunately, most of the time, I don’t feel that ease. Because more often than not, I find us in situations where I feel like I have to protect my path to peaceful, mindful parenting. And in all honesty, having different parenting style than a lot of the people around me can make it seem like I’m speaking a totally different language. Not to mention that it can feel like the worst criticism in the world. Making me not only defensive but also doubt my mothering abilities. Because I feel like I’m being questioned for having my children’s best interest in mind that I seem fit. And that’s unnerving, to say the least.
But the truth is, over the last three years of parenting, I’ve learned that having a different parenting style than those in my life takes some extra practice.
It’s having gratitude for those people, no matter how annoying they are, because it’s an absolute blessing that my children have people in their lives that are interested in having a real relationship with them.
It’s about realizing that parenting is THE most difficult job in the world that no one is completely ready or trained for.
It’s about following my OWN instinct no matter what advice you get from friends, family, or the media.
It’s about having my family’s interest in mind and doing what works for US. That’s how you survive having a different parenting style. And parenting in general.
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