Being a Peaceable Parent

Parenting is hard. It can also be incredibly fun and rewarding. Still, there is no denying that parenting pushes us, stretches us, and forces us to grow in ways we didn't think possible. The best parenting happens when we are willing to rise to the challenge--when we are sensitive to not just the growth in our children, but the growth in ourselves.

I've decided to start this blog as a place to explore that growth, and to share that journey with others who are looking for new ideas or kindred spirits on this path.

What does it mean to be a peaceable parent? In short, in means working to minimize conflict within ourselves, our family, and our world. As a peaceable parent, I am teaching my daughter to heal the earth, to work toward justice, and to find joy in her life.

I'm not perfect. Sometimes I get exasperated and say the wrong things. I forget that her independence doesn't mean she doesn't still need lots of attention. I expect behavior that is incompatible with her development. My daughter, wonderful as she is, is still not quite 3-years-old. Which means that she still has meltdowns. And sometimes rather than choosing a or b, she invents option c.

It's okay. There is no online tutorial that will magically create instant domestic utopia. But there is plenty of advice out there that will get you moving in a good direction. What's important is that you continue to reflect and grow. When you make a poor parenting choice, don't wallow in guilt. Apologize. Come up with a plan for how you will do better next time. Move on.

Finally, being a peaceable parent means striving for peaceful relationships with other parents. It means remembering that most parents are doing the best that they can with the mental, emotional, social, and financial resources available to them. It means listening instead of judging. It means reaching out rather than shutting down.

Because how can we hope to raise peaceable children if we aren't prepared to lead by example?