Re-parenting.
A technique in time for blue Monday.
If you grew up in home where you didn’t get the parenting you needed you might struggle with allowing yourself self kindness and compassion. Not to mention healthy life decisions and boundaries.
Let me introduce the concept of re-parenting. The action of caring for yourself like a “good” parent would. Setting healthy boundaries, saying both “yes” and “no” to the right things and treating oneself like a deeply loving, kind, compassionate and skilled parent would.
Even if you didn’t know this kind of parent in your own life, you probably can imagine what they would be like. Maybe you had a friend who had this kind of patent. Maybe you saw it on TV or even read about an example.
A parent who loves you, wants the best for you, knows you well and has high hopes for you would not say you are lazy, stupid, fat, unworthy, etc. so in the practice of re-parenting you adopt the “good parent” mindset and apply it to yourself.
My good parent says when it’s time to rest, eat well, take a break, forgive myself for poor choices because I can start over at any moment. My good parent protects me from me at times, stepping between my self criticism and protecting me from self harm.
Re-parenting is not just for those who suffered abuse, trauma or unstable upbringings. It’s available for us all because we all need a grown up, now and then.
I love this image, it felt like an example of a kind, loving, compassionate “good parent”. In the search to understand ourselves we often have to reach back into our childhood. It’s not about finding sinners and saints, it’s about finding what we need now to make our life better.
#parenting #reparenting #recovery #selfcompassion #selflove #selfkindness #psycotherapy #therapy #counseling #bccounsellor #princegeorgebc #bluemonday #narrativetherapy #solutionfocused