Breaking Childhood Patterns in Parenting

"I didn't have that growing up and I turned out fine."

I've caught myself saying this before.

When my kids want something.

When my wife suggests something for them.

Nothing crazy.

Just things I never had.

The Hidden Pattern

It's a strange thing we do:

Using our childhood as a measuring stick.

Making our past the standard.

Letting old limitations create new ones.

The Truth

My childhood has nothing to do with theirs.

My "normal" isn't their normal.

My "enough" isn't their enough.

What I Really Mean

When I say "I turned out fine"

What I'm really saying is:

"This makes me uncomfortable"

"This feels unnecessary"

"This challenges my story"

The Reality

My kids aren't living my childhood.

They're living their childhood.

Right now.

Today.

Your Move

Our past shaped us.

But it doesn't have to shape them.

That's the whole point.

-Antonio