No parent is ALWAYS conscious, gentle, positive, peaceful and authentic. We have to CHOOSE to be and practise moment by moment…day after day. The more we practise, the stronger we grow.
Peaceful parenting is progressive because it is purposefully choosing to be better informed on every area of our personal and family wellbeing and that ripples out. It’s okay to question all information, even when shared by doctors, teachers, pastors, parenting “experts” and politicians. This can be uncomfortable if we have been punished or shamed for questioning authority and taught to ignore our heart intuition.
We network, google, cross-reference and research child development, psychology, environment and nutrition. We wont apologise for taking time to better educate ourselves. We have learnt from history and choose to make the world a more peaceful and fair place as we aspire to be more connected to ourselves and family.
The point of parental education should always be to ignite heart-intuition and grow connection within hearts and homes. The added benefit is that it ripples out into humanity.
My greatest wish is that through the practice of gentle parenting and peaceful practices, we will grow stronger and more empowered and connected within ourselves and relationships.
Raising young children in the holiday with extended family, friends and bystanders can be extra challenging.
When emotions run high and you feel judged and all alone, please listen for the whispers of your heart. Take space to breath and listen for the calm and courageous voice within, whispering your truth and wisdom.
If you practise listening regularly, you’ll hear the whispers of your children’s and partner’s hearts too. Through conscious connection and compassionate communication, family is strengthened.
When others judge and distract you from listening, please remember that your tribe’s emotional wellbeing matters greatly and your heart has the answers.
Not everyone will understand or support you. But your children will grow to. That’s what truly matters.
Whatever resonates, encourages and calms you is your truth and wisdom. Trust yourself. Trust your children. Hearts are strengthened through gentleness-understanding and compassion.
The gentlest of warriors hear the whisper of the heart and live to follow their truth.
You’ve got this.
Lelia Schott is a South African mother to four sons and two daughters (aged 22, 20, 18, 15, 8 and 5). Lelia is a certified parent coach, unschooler, independent researcher, writer, dreamer, peaceful parenting and child advocate, lover of nature, music and exercise. On her best days she can be found with her family in the garden, swimming or walking along the beach.
