The day I asked for feedback (from my daughter)
HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOUR CHILD FOR FEEDBACK ON YOUR PARENTING?! I DID A FEW MONTHS AGO, JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED.
‘Mummy, you need to have more fun. You’re not as playful as daddy.’
Ouch.
I obviously wanted to explain all the things I do that he doesn’t (like remember to feed them). And all the reasons that’s the case. But I took a deep breath, and stopped myself.
Because deep down no, not deep down. All of me from surface to core. Knew. It was true.
As Adults we’re rarely present ‘here and now.
Meditation teach us to be in the present moment, the moment where everything is created. The only moment that exists; to be; to have fun, and realise our potential.
I know this. I’ve read it a 1000 times. And I try, I do try, but, I’m still obsessed with the future. What’s everything on my to do list, what am I going to do next with the business, my plans for tomorrow.
But why do we keep having to learn that joy comes from within, the now? It doesn’t come from getting the next thing, achieving the next goal, or ticking the next thing of the to do list.
Kids know this innately. They are born this way.
So over the last few months, I’ve made a conscious effort to be more present and to have more fun with my kids. Phone away. Focus. Fun. I’m not talking organised fun such as a trip to the Zoo. That’s easy. It’s organised.
But to enjoy those everyday moments more. The random after school stories where the most seemingly mundane facts are told in the most dramatic way.
Or the early morning moments at 5.32 am when you’re asked about something you said 4 months ago. That you can’t remember saying.
I know I have created Mindset, Mimi & Me to teach kids about self-knowledge, self-worth and self-trust.
But I also know that kids are our biggest teachers.
They are not interested in how long your to do list is, or how fancy your business plan is.
They want to know if you are focused on them. Present. And having fun.
Every day, they teach us to be present more, to love ourselves more and to have fun. They are born knowing how to do this.
In some ways, I believe our only job is to help them not lose this. To keep reminding them and showing them through our actions their innate way of being is right.
And the paradox is that to be the best teachers we can be, we need to be present, to have self-worth, and of course, to have fun.
SO WHAT WILL YOUR KIDS TEACH YOU TODAY - AND WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LEARN FROM THEM?
I've been too scared to ask for more feedback..but perhaps, hopefully, I’m doing better..
