Send a text
This week I found myself thinking about something a lot of parents probably feel but don’t always say out loud.
Two of my kids had tough weeks. Nothing catastrophic, but enough that I spent hours talking things through with them, listening, trying to help them make sense of it. And during a text conversation with my cousin, she said something that stuck with me.
“You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child.”
That feels very true. When your kids are hurting, it’s almost impossible not to feel it too. But is there’s another way to think about it?
Because as our kids grow up, there are more and more things we can’t fix for them. We can’t control the outcome of the game, the job interview, the friendship, the opportunity they were hoping for. And part of parenting older kids is learning how to support them through disappointment without carrying all of that weight ourselves.
In this episode, I talk about that shift in parenting and how our role changes as our kids navigate their own paths. I also share an exercise called the Odyssey Plan that can help both parents and kids zoom out and see life as a series of possible paths rather than one moment that defines everything.
If you’ve ever felt the emotional weight of watching your kids struggle and wishing you could fix it for them, this conversation is for you.
Make sure to find me on socials @ReframingMe on TikTok and IG and follow along with my 50 days til 50 series. Also, 'Twas the Night Before Move-In makes an excellent keepsake for graduation season - and now, the Campus Series is rolling out!! Check it out on Amazon
Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook, on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content!