Welcome, time to relax and read ...

As parents, we must accept that we carry wounds and scars, both consciously and unconsciously. Striving for meaningful change while parenting is a process. It often feels uncomfortable, but we must summon the courage to confront the monsters that emerge from limiting beliefs. The journey toward meaningful change begins when we recognise these triggers in our parenting. The best part is, identifying points at which the triggers show up.

Reflecting on finding meaningful work, I often wonder how many 'supposed tos' I've unintentionally placed on my children. Am I encouraging them to explore their gifts and talents as they wish? Do I interfere by inserting my views, especially when they differ from mine or societal norms? Can I offer guidance without interference; yet imparting wisdom? Can I offer correction while maintaining order without discouragement? These questions are endless.

For a long time, I thought joy and happiness were the same thing and gratitude was the prayers you mumbled before dinner. As shared in my previous post, I became a parent for the first time during the pandemic period—a time that really shone a spotlight on my relationship with scarcity and my fear of the unknown. It felt like there were very few places I could call safe, and I was constantly worried about the health risks for both me and my baby.

I vividly remember my baby at two weeks old, crying incessantly at 2 a.m., despite being fed, dry, warm, and held dearly. I felt a deep frustration that I tried to attribute to exhaustion. I couldn't understand why the so-called "joy" of motherhood was nowhere to be found when I needed it most. The frustration grew exponentially, and I marched downstairs to where my mum was sleeping and left the baby with her—I couldn't take it anymore.

In today's world, the terms "authentic" and "authenticity" are often overused, sometimes losing their true meaning.

Practicing love and belonging is no small feat. It requires work—internal recognition, a presence within oneself that acknowledges the gremlins at play and an understanding of which limiting beliefs are trying to take control. Not to mention, it involves momentary reliving of adverse childhood experiences. When you practice love and belonging as a parent, you realise it's not just for your children but for yourself too. It's a journey that requires the fighter in you.

On my previous post, I explored love and what it means for me, particularly with the most commonly known concepts of love i.e. the languages. I have established that love is spiritual, something that can be inherently felt for another as you feel for yourself. It’s built through connection, trust and vulnerability. Love, for oneself and others, I have come to believe, cannot exist without belonging and being authentic. Interestingly, belonging cannot exist without practicing

My experiences embracing courage, compassion, and connection with my children have involved joyous activities like play, singing, and dancing, alongside difficult ones like sincere apologies. “Sorry about that” doesn’t cut it compared to “I am sorry I shouted.” (I’ve picked up some tips about apologies from Harriet Lerner, but that’s another story.) My goal is to demonstrate to my kids early on that I’m not invincible and that respect for oneself and others is paramount.

This book casts a light on life and the diverse emotional experiences we all share as humans. I've revisited it multiple times, uncovering new insights with each read. It delves into themes of love, joy, gratitude, shame, pain, fear, empathy, vulnerability, and more. If there’s an emotion you've grappled with, you’ll likely find resonance in its pages. It's truly a treasure! I discovered this gem after becoming a parent, and it’s parenting that's driven me into a new realm of