Parenting has stretched me in ways I never expected

 Parenting has stretched me in ways I never expected

It’s been learning how to trust my gut while also unlearning what was passed down to me

It’s realizing that just because something was normal growing up doesn’t mean it was right

I heard “because I said so” more times than I can count and now I catch myself wanting to say it too

But I stop I breathe I try again

Because I want my kids to grow up knowing they can ask questions and that their feelings matter

I was taught to be quiet to be polite to always smile even when I didn’t want to

Now I’m teaching my kids how to speak up how to say no how to protect their energy

This kind of parenting isn’t easy

But every time I choose connection over control

Every time I choose patience over power

I know I’m breaking cycles

And building something better for them and for me