Children are wonderful teachers. We learn so much about ourselves during the journey of parenting. When our kids do something that drives us crazy, it is an opportunity for us to look inside of us. Kids don’t trigger us, we trigger ourselves. This concept is mind blowing once you unlock the theory.

Today we explore the concept of how this process of self discovery can free us from expectations. The word expectation often has a positive connotation, but today we will explore how some expectations might be more damaging than we think.

As parents, most of us want our kids to be independent thinkers and strong, confident trailblazers. But at the same time, we don’t want them to develop those traits while in our own home, because that might conflict with our own agenda. This mindset creates trouble because we can’t expect our children to become independent the instant they leave the house at 18 years old. Many children get the unintentional message as children: be yourself, as long as that self is the one that we have chosen for you as parents. Our expectations for you are the only ones you are safe to meet.

Today we explore the paradox that as we release our children from our rigid expectations (while still setting healthy boundaries and limits of course), we can truly engage with them in the present moment by using powerful intention.These two words, intention and engagement are the antidote for relationship damaging expectation.

The books/authors we mention in this episode are:

The Awakened Family by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

Elevating Childcare by Janet Lansbury