Status Updates From The Gentle Parent: Positive...

Imagine those most precious gifts of parenting that we miss in our rush through life, those breathtaking moments of extraordinary joy a child finds in the most ordinary discoveries that can never be recaptured—the priceless first taste of a strawberry, the wonder of a butterfly’s wings, the giggle at a kitten’s batting paws, the belly laugh at a playmate’s silly joke, the pride of a first bicycle ride.

Children learn what they live. No amount of lecturing can undo the powerful impact on a child of their parent's own behaviour and choices.

Love is a choice, not a feeling. Until you understand that, you aren't ready for love.

11. They are often highly sensitive.
12. They are typically intensely focused on their latest project or interest.
13. They tend to be conscientious and highly committed.
14. They are usually intensely independent.

All these points fit A to a 'T'!

11. They are often highly sensitive.
12. They are typically intensely focused on their latest project or interest.
13. They tend to be conscientious and highly committed.
14. They are usually intensely independent.

All these points fit A to a 'T'!

6. They are typically highly perfection-oriented, but often that is focused on their expectations of themselves instead of others.
7. They tend to need high levels of validation.
8. They usually have an intense need to be heard.
9. They often have a strong need for emotional safety.
10. They tend to be resistant to change unless they feel like they have some control over the change.

Characteristics of strong willed children:
1. They are typically highly creative and intelligent.
2. They are usually passionate and intense in their interests and beliefs.
3. They often have an insatiable need to know 'why'.
4. They typically learn by doing.
5. They tend to have an intense need to test the status quo.

Guilt is a destructive emotion, so instead of holding on to guilt, we need to let our love lead us to listen more deeply, understand more fully, connect more securely, forgive more freely, communicate more clearly, and respond more gently.