I have heard a lot of parents say, “Being a parent has taught me how to be a better person.” Why is it that our children are often the ones that push us to grow as individuals? What does it look like, to be a better person? Parents tell me that they became a better person because parenting inspired them to be more patient, authentic, observant, and aware of themselves. Many shared a commitment to self-improvement.
A friend of mine once said, “teens need us to protect them from themselves.” We enter the world of parenting with an huge sense of responsibility, and we learn very quickly that our children will look to us as models for what it means to be human. Teens need our guidance to stay safe, be thoughtful, live with purpose, develop work ethics, show compassion, and engage with others in a way that shows they can take responsibility for themselves and for their contributions to the world.
The following video is not just about parenting a teen, it is about what the author, Brene Brown, would call being whole hearted. She keeps it light and funny as she talks about what it is like to live life with courage and to accept that we are all vulnerable and imperfect. She reminds us that being a “good parent” is not about having perfect teens, it is about having teens who feel worthy. This video is longer than what I would usually post. However, I think the next 20 minutes will be well worth your time. You might even find yourself watching it more than once!
I would enjoy hearing your thoughts and comments after viewing this video. How did you relate to what she shared? How does all of this apply to our parenting?
Happy Parenting!
Shelly