There has to be another way

Last week, I overcame one of my biggest fears.

I gave a training to teachers at a Secondary School in Co. Waterford.

Luckily, I had very little time to prepare and yet it felt like my whole life led me to this moment.

When I say that standing in front of 25 educators felt intimidating, I am not even close to describing what it was really like.

I was so thankful for the opportunity that for the first time gratitude cancelled out my nerves.

Did you know that this was possible?

Why am I sharing this with you?

Chaos: Hope Is Buried Underneath

With parents’ worry about their children’s future and doubts for their safety, I see so much hope in all the chaos.

With my youngest child turning 13 in a few months, I am remembering my own teenage years more vividly now.

Senior cycle in the 90’s, our arts teacher shared a project that showed the environmental threats with a clock as a bomb ticking at 5 to 12.

Looking at this image, the doom and gloom left me feeling powerless.

What I didn’t get as a 16-year-old was what I could contribute to the world NOT ENDING in 5 minutes.

Spreading Fear Is Irresponsible

I believe that spreading fear is not just irresponsible it also offers no solutions to what can be done instead.

Becoming a parent, I knew that I didn’t want to raise an anxious people pleaser, a defiant rebel nor a spoilt brat.

As many care-givers I said to myself:

There has to be another way!

What can parents and teachers do to guide future adults who are:

🌱 Responsible

🌱 Friendly

🌱 Happy

🌱 Confident

🌱 Articulate

🌱 Safe

🌱 Positive

🌱 Grounded

🌱 Polite

🌱 Grateful and

🌱 Respectful?

When it comes to current day challenges such as uncertainty, overstimulation, feeling excluded, socio-economic pressures, anxiety or mental health struggles our adolescents will definitely benefit from adults believing in them.   

Intuition Before Reaching for A.I.

When the topic of A.I. comes up in daily conversation, I am convinced that we can support our young to find their own intuition first.

I treat A.I. as an outside opinion that is allowed to get it wrong or not apply to everyone in every situation.

My first born is turning 16 in a couple of months and she will finally have the choice to set up social media accounts on her phone.

It has been a long journey with many ups and downs, forever more reassuring her and encouraging her so she felt capable and included.

Social Media Age 16: Punishment vs. Protection

My intention was very clear not to punish her but to protect her mental health.

Is it possible to raise critical thinkers in an age where every answer is available at the click of a button?

My experience and based on conversations with my children make me believe that the answer is: YES.

The skill of asking questions and being open to listening to a young mind’s thoughts – that’s what grows confidence in believing and knowing their own self.

Every child wants their parent to feel happy and how we live our lives matters so much more than we give ourselves credit for.

Role modelling to my daughter and son that I am willing to take the risk and wanting to support teachers in creating calmer classrooms, they both cheer me on.

Feel free to reflect and share an example where your child is observing you being courageous right now?

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or message me privately by sending an email to effortlessparenting@gmail.com.

 (Confirming humanity: written by annett)