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April Fool’s 🥳 😅

It was a typical day when I went to pick up my son, Adhrit, from school. Seeing his downcast expression, I knew something was wrong. Concerned, I approached him, and he handed me his diary, where his teacher had documented an incident involving an inappropriate comment he supposedly made about another student's country.

Instantly, I felt frustrated and disappointed. Without taking a moment to think about Adhrit's perspective, I immediately scolded him, emphasizing the values we had taught him. But he remained silent, which only made me more agitated.

The frustration, have you ever been in a situation where your child gets in trouble at school and you try to get to the bottom of it and you get the silent treatment from them? Then they avoid you and you only get even more irritated? As parents, we're always facing the challenges of raising children, which put our patience, empathy, and understanding to the test.

One particular moment stands out for me, where I almost missed out on considering my child's perspective, and it completely changed how I approach parenting. But before we continue this conversation, go support the sponsor we love today, here’s a quick ad for them.

So, here's what happened: After a bit of a rough day, I found myself frustrated and ready to lay down the law with my son, Adhrit. Later, I talked to my husband about what happened, hoping he'd agree with me. But instead, he encouraged me to approach the situation calmly and consider Adhrit's perspective. Wise advice, as it turns out. During dinner, as we sat down to talk with him, my emotions were still running high. However, as my husband engaged him in conversation about his day at school, a different story emerged.

Adhrit explained how during a movie day at school, a classmate had disrupted the viewing experience by making incessant noises in her native language, which bothered him. Despite his polite requests for her to stop, she persisted, causing Adhrit distress. His comment about not understanding her language came from frustration, not malice. It was a reminder to me of the importance of listening and understanding before jumping to conclusions, especially when it comes to our kids.

Listening to his perspective, I felt a wave of empathy. It was clear that his actions were not meant to harm but were born out of feeling overwhelmed and unheard. In that moment, I realized the gravity of my mistake. By hastily admonishing Adhrit without giving him a chance to share his side, I had unintentionally contributed to his feelings of alienation and frustration. My failure to listen not only strained our relationship but also undermined his trust in confiding in me.

This experience really hit me hard and taught me some invaluable lessons about parenting:

You know, every story has two sides. It's easy to jump to conclusions without really knowing the full story. But taking a step back and trying to see things from your child's perspective can make all the difference. It's amazing how much empathy and understanding can blossom from that simple shift in mindset. I've lost count of how many times I've reacted in the heat of the moment, only to regret it later. But just taking a breath and giving myself a moment to gather my thoughts has helped me respond more thoughtfully and compassionately. It's like hitting the reset button for both me and my child.

Avoid rushing to judgment - that's a lesson I've learned the hard way. Passing judgment without hearing my child's side of the story can really damage our relationship and hinder open communication. So, I've made it a point to keep that line of communication open, no matter what. It's been crucial for maintaining trust and understanding between us.

I've come to realize that the most important thing my child needs is a safe space of unconditional love and acceptance from me. Our home is their safe container where they will not be judged, shamed, or punished. And from that foundation, we've been able to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. Parenting is one big learning curve, isn't it? Instead of beating myself up over every mistake, I've started seeing them as chances for both me and my kids to learn and grow together.

Looking back on that experience, I'm grateful for the lessons it taught me. It's really reshaped my approach to parenting, and I'm committed to creating an environment where my child feels valued, heard, and understood. I hope these lessons resonate with you too, and that together, we can continue to grow and learn as parents. Let's strive to be compassionate listeners, empathetic guides, and unwavering advocates for our children's well-being.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the chaos and conflict in your family life? Are you confused about discipline and boundaries? If you're ready to move from confusion to clarity, from chaos to calm, from conflict to connection, I'm here to support you. Book a free 60-minute session with me and let's embark on this transformative journey together.

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