Amazing Pregnancy and Parenting

Conscious parenting is simply the art of awareness. When your kids are acting out of character, rather than jumping on the behavior, ask them questions. Find out what’s not working in their world. They may be struggling with something. They may be tired. They may have stress you are not aware of. Could it be school starting? Get to know your child. Ask from the heart, and then listen from the heart. Be a conscious parent. It makes everything so much more fun! (Traci Gaffney, www.alovingway.com, 1-800-647-1171.)

When I was pregnant, one of my favorite things to do was to just sit in a favorite chair and “be” with my baby. We didn’t necessary “do” anything or say anything; we just were together. I would actually feel myself loving this baby, and feel the love coming back. Those are some very memorable moments. Try it! It’s phenominal!    (Traci Gaffney, www.alovingway.com,  800-647-1171.)

When you feel those little toes kicking your tummy, take advantage of this “hello” moment by rubbing them, poking them back, and giggling. Your baby will LOVE the interaction with you! (Traci Gaffney, www.alovingway.com, 800-647-1171.)

As kids are heading back to school, take just a moment to remember what it was like for you on the first day of a new school year  … both the excitement and the fear. Do as much  preparation  the night before as possible. This alleviates a lot of last minute stress. And, talk to your kids. Find out what’s going on in their little world as they embark on a new teacher, new kids, new information. This will ease their fears, bring deeper connection between you, and provide an opportunity for you to better know who they are today.  (Traci Gaffney, www.alovingway.com, 800-647-1171.)

As a parent, we do the best job we can with the resources, knowledge and wisdom we possess. Something I have just recently been able to put into words, and thought I would pass along to each of you, is the fact that we need to experience the world through the eyes, ears and hearts of our children in order to be the most effective with them. When we meet them at their level, ask what is going on in their world, and simply ask what they need from us, the floodgates of heaven open.

If you can imagine for just a moment, being age five again … did you understand the world, life, “good and bad,” as you do now? Of course not. Sometimes we forget that our children have limited experiences to draw from, and that we must come to their world to interact and teach, as opposed to asking them to come to our world (perspective).

Every “misbehavior,” “trouble,” “disagreement,” and/or “acting out,” if you will, is nothing more than a child saying, “I’ve hit the boundary limits of my knowledge and skills. Please teach me more.” That’s all it is.

As we move into fall, and school commences once again, I would like to challenge each parent to think before judging, to feel before reacting, and to ask themselves, “Has my child reached the boundary limit of their knowledge and skill sets? Is this simply another opportunity for me to teach?” Kids are curious and adventurous beings. And … they are learning. We must remember both.

Let’s concentrate on the love and connection that every human being wants, and show our children acceptance. And, let’s see parenting as the teaching role that it is. We are blessed to have been given a student to mentor. Let’s guide our children up the mountain of life, enjoying the view all the while. The skills we teach them now will help them in friendships, marriage, business adventures, and their relationships with themselves.

What a great gift to give our children ~ experiencing the world through their eyes, ears and heart ~ teaching and guiding them in their journey. That’s really what being a parent is, isn’t it?

Have a beautiful month of August. Enjoy the sunshine and the love!

Traci Gaffney has three children, is a parenting coach, speaker and author, and is the Founder of A Loving Way, a Wellness Advocacy for Children and Parents (www.alovingway.com).