The Self-Aware Parent: 19 Lessons for Growing with Your Children
makes you aware that as much as parenting is about teaching your child, it's also about growing and unfolding your own potential as a human being. If only we take the time to truly connect and listen, our children can teach us as much as we can teach them."We are expected to teach our children so many things, it is easy to forget that they are here to teach us as well. If one is open to it, parenting is like standing in front of a mirror. Raising children highlights your skills, but also points out your vulnerabilities." says Cathy.
Throughout the book Cathy gently encourages parents to take responsibility for their role in the parent-child relationship, rather than trying to fix their child. There is also valuable advice for coping with mommy guilt - a condition that every mom is afflicted with.
These 19 lessons that Cathy learned over the course of six years as a mom and parent coach.
Here are some lessons that Cathy shares:
* For New Moms - Dealing with unrealistic expectations you may have brought to motherhood, and realizing that it's okay if everything isn't always perfect and the importance of taking care of yourself.
I love how Cathy shares her personal experience in each of the lessons throughout the book.
* Tasks
Like Cathy, I love creating my to-do lists and checking them off each day. I brought the same sense of efficiency to parenting....and then wondered why it didn't work. When I had newborn, some days I was lucky to have a shower.
As Cathy says, "At work you provide efficiency and demonstrate productivity, but when you parent you to slow down and live in the moment."
What a huge lesson for me, especially now that I'm expecting my 4th child. The lesson on natural childbirth was a great comfort to me, as I'm dealing with fear of giving birth again.
By sharing her unique experience through pregnancy, birth and parenting and the lessons she learned along the way along the way, Cassy has given moms everywhere a treasure trove of wisdom.
Some additional lessons I learned were:
Accepting children for who they are, learning to slow down and live in the present moment, helping children cope with grief and loss and more.
All in all The Self-Aware Parent: 19 Lessons for Growing with Your Children
is a treasure trove of wisdom for parents everywhere.