Listen as your children teach you.


As a mother I know the overwhelming pressure that can be associated with parenting.  I remember the enormous sense of awe and panic that I experienced the first time I realised that I had been given the massive task of turning this tiny baby into a well rounded, happy and healthy adult who would succeed in our ever-changing society.  The pressure was almost physically crushing.

I had so many questions and worries.  How could I protect them from bullying, teach them to read and write and teach them right from wrong?  I wanted to teach them honesty, empathy, compassion and love so that they could relate to others.  Strength, determination, independence and a strong will so that they were not led by peer pressure.  Imagination, desire, a sense of purpose and self worth so that they would follow their dreams through life.  But most of all I wanted to give my children whatever it was that enabled them to take a blow in life and to have the strength to get back up and soldier on.

I read every parenting book I could get my hands on, watched television shows, listened to professionals on the radio and attended mother’s group, playgroup and a parenting course in an attempt to find my answers.  Through this I learnt about topics such as dummies, breast feeding, controlled crying, sleep patterns and bowel motions but I still couldn’t find the answers that I was looking for.  Where could I find this information, who could tell me how to educate and teach my children these very important life skills?

Ironically, it was my daughter who gave me the answer.  I was sitting watching her play with her baby doll and laughing at how she had breast fed her baby, put her into time out for being naughty and was now showing great compassion because her baby had a sore tummy.  In the midst of her crooning and hugging she looked over at me, smiled and said “Just like you do mummy”.

So there it was.  Lead by example, be the whole, healthy, happy and well rounded individual that you want your children to be, and do it now, because they are already following you down the path of life. 

With this new found direction and purpose I embarked on some life coaching to really figure out who I was.  I discovered that I had some negative internal dialogue going on that was easily removed when I identified it.  I discovered my values and the things that gave me joy.  I removed some of my more negative habits and let go of those things that I was ‘putting up with’ in my life.  I re-discovered myself, found new direction and a new career! 

I am now a contented mother and I know that I am teaching my children everything they need to know, because I am showing them every minute of every day how to be the very best person that they can be and it is with absolute pleasure that I now assist and guide other mums as they go through the same process.  If it's time that you discovered these things about yourself then let me help you.

I thank my children for the many blessings that they give me every day.



Written by Naydeen Frecklington
Professional Life Coach


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