Parenting Teenagers

Your First Priority as a Parent Is to Take Care of Yourself

shifting your mindset Feb 17, 2022

There are a few different topics we could explore when it comes to taking care of yourself. For example, in my post Improve Your Energy and Health by Stacking Small Wins, the focus was taking care of your physical health. In this post, however, the topic is going to be centered on your journey to a life of purpose and fulfillment. I have referenced this idea before, but for those of you new to the Family Enrichment Academy, it is worth repeating. In all great stories, there is this idea of the hero’s two journeys. The first journey is the journey of accomplishment. This journey is focused on outside goals. For example: A new job. Paying off debt. Losing weight. The second journey is the journey of purpose, fulfillment, and happiness. This is our hero’s inside journey of transformation. 

 

Today, my goal is to remind you that you are the hero in your story and that one of the best ways to take care of yourself is to be intentional about your journey to fulfillment. You deserve to experience purpose and joy in your life. There are two additional benefits from your efforts to grow in this area. First, you will be in a much better place to connect with and empower your teenager. You will be a better parent. Second, you will be modeling a balanced life for your teenager. Through your example, they will be moved along their journey to fulfillment, purpose, and happiness. Ultimately, this is what we want for our children. 

 

You are probably thinking: Okay, so what do I do? 

 

Consider this: We all have two competing mindsets that live within us. There is a fear-based mindset and a love-based mindset. The journey to fulfillment involves shifting our dominant mindset from one of fear to one of love. Here is a simple process you can try to help with this transition.

 

Step 1: Develop awareness. Anytime you are experiencing a “negative” emotion, you are viewing the particular circumstance from a fear-based mindset. The “negative” emotion could be:

 

  • Disappointment
  • Anger
  • Frustration
  • Hopelessness

 

See if you can catch yourself in the middle of a negative emotional experience and create a pause. State what is going on. For example, you could say to yourself: Oh, I am feeling pretty frustrated right now. 

 

Step 2: Now that you have created a pause, attempt to shift your mindset from fear based to love based. I have found these three questions to be an effective way to make the shift:

 

  • Who or what do I need to forgive?
  • What am I grateful for?
  • How can I make a difference?

 

You are the hero of your own journey, and you deserve to experience purpose, fulfillment, and happiness in your life. Additionally, one of the greatest gifts you can give to your son or daughter is to accomplish this for yourself. 

 

Why not take the next step along your hero’s journey starting today?


Jim White

Family Enrichment Coach

THE SECRET TO GETTING YOUR TEENAGER TO OPEN UP AND TALK...

YOU NEED TO ASK BETTER QUESTIONS.

 

FREE RESOURCE:

10 Questions to NEVER ask you teen - conversation killers

10 Great questions - conversation starters

 

 

Send me the QUESTIONS

You can start using these questions today and you will notice a difference by tomorrow.

When you sign up, we will be sending you weekly emails with additional free content. .