karenyoung_heysigmund
I love being a parent. I love it with every part of my being and more than I ever thought I could love anything. Honestly though, nothing has brought out my insecurities or vulnerabilities as much. This is so normal. Confusing, and normal.
However many children we have, and whatever age they are, each child and each new stage will bring something new for us to learn. It will always be this way.
Our children will each do life differently, and along the way we will need to adapt and bend ourselves around their path to light their way as best we can. But we won’t do this perfectly, because we can’t always know what mountains they’ll need to climb, or what dragons they’ll need to slay. We won’t always know what they’ll need, and we won’t always be able to give it. We don’t need to. But we’ll want to. Sometimes we’ll ache because of this and we’ll blame ourselves for not being ‘enough’. Sometimes we won’t. This is the vulnerability that comes with parenting.
We love them so much, and that never changes, but the way we feel about parenting might change a thousand times before breakfast. Parenting is tough. It’s worth every second - every second - but it’s tough.
Great parents can feel everything, and sometimes it can turn from moment to moment - loving, furious, resentful, compassionate, gentle, tough, joyful, selfish, confused and wise - all of it. Great parents can feel all of it.
Because parenting is pure joy, but not always. We are strong, nurturing, selfless, loving, but not always. Parents aren’t perfect. Love isn’t perfect. And it was meant to be. We’re raising humans - real ones, with feelings, who don’t need to be perfect, and wont need others to be perfect. Humans who can be kind to others, and to themselves first. But they will learn this from us.
Parenting is the role which needs us to be our most human, beautifully imperfect, flawed, vulnerable selves. Let’s not judge ourselves for our shortcomings and the imperfections, and the necessary human-ness of us.❤️
Laura –
A delightful and informative book that takes children on an engaging journey through the complexities of their own bodies. Written in a language that is accessible and relatable to young readers, this book succeeds in making the intricate workings of the nervous system both understandable and fascinating.
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is its ability to simplify complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy. Through colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow explanations, children are introduced to the different parts of the nervous system and how they work together to help us move, think, and feel. The author does an excellent job of breaking down these concepts into bite-sized pieces that are easy for kids to digest.
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on empowerment. Rather than simply presenting information, the author encourages children to take an active role in understanding and caring for their own nervous systems. From tips on practicing mindfulness to suggestions for staying safe and healthy, this book equips young readers with practical tools they can use in their everyday lives.