Conscious parenting is the practice of being aware, and mindful of who you are as a parent and how you are making decisions in raising your children, especially those decisions that affect children on a deep emotional level.
At the time of this episode, and for the foreseeable future I have no intention of becoming a parent anytime soon. I believe that before becoming a parent sorting out your own life and getting things in order is the first step. That’s another conversation or another day, but I resonate with the topic of conscious parenting and believe that it’s the best way to parent if we want the best for our children.
Thankfully, I have many people, and friends whom I can call upon to discuss this topic who I believe are conscious parents, and are doing their best to parent consciously with one of them being my good friend Faraaz Ali who in this episode shares a wealth of valuable insights and practical tips for parents looking to cultivate meaningful connections with their children. Fareez emphasises the importance of creating an environment of love, understanding, and empowerment for our children and how this is at the heart of what conscious parenting is about.
Faraaz goes on to highlight the significance of conscious communication, and why engaging in deeper conversations with children leads to better child-parent relationships, and fostering a stronger bond with children. This makes total sense because by actively listening to children’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives, we show children that their voice is valued and creates an open safe space for children to express themselves fully and encourage their emotional and personal growth.
Understanding your child on a deep level can only be positive and involves recognising their unique strengths, skills, gifts, talents, and interests, as well as the challenges that they could be facing and providing the support and guidance they need to thrive. We are all unique in our own right, and our children are no different. They have different strengths and skills, and supporting them in these strengths and skills without comparison is key in their development. By celebrating their individuality and encouraging their passions, parents can help their children develop a strong sense of self and build their confidence. Don’t forget to give them a voice, as I know from first-hand experience just because you might be good at something, doesn’t mean you want to pursue it. It’s a fine balance, that involves conscious communication as already highlighted.
The power of language in conscious parenting, let alone in life in general, is not to be underestimated. Do your best to use empowering language and avoid disempowering and/or negative language. By consciously choosing uplifting and supportive words, parents can create a positive atmosphere that supports their child’s self-esteem and encourages a growth mindset. I would highly recommend the well-known book ‘Mindset’ by Carol Dweck for more on growth mindset.
I believe in personal responsibility which is what conscious parenting is about. It’s about taking ownership of who you are as a parent and becoming aware of your parenting style, and if your choices and decisions are best supporting your child’s growth and development. The impact of the education system though cannot be underestimated. You could do all of the good work at home, for it to be dented when you send your children to school.
Now, that’s not to say that all schools are bad. In fact, most schools are doing the best that they can within the system. The system is the issue, as it doesn’t focus on personal growth and supporting our children’s emotional well-being. Faraaz advocates for a shift in the traditional approach to education, suggesting a focus on holistic development rather than solely academic achievement. Faraaz shared with me that incorporating meditation, visualisation, manifestation, compassion, kindness, cultural understanding, and conflict resolution from an early age can develop more compassionate, empathetic, and better children which I may add are the next generation and will go on to become the next presidents and prime ministers of the world. So, wouldn’t it be great if they were better in every way than what we currently have?! 😉
Faraaz also encourages parents to introduce their children to entrepreneurship at a young age because by doing so you will foster a sense of creativity, problem-solving, and initiative, and empower children to think outside the box and pursue their passions. This entrepreneurial mindset instils confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning and personal growth no matter if they go on to become the next Steve Jobs in their own right or not.
Overall, conscious parenting is about open and authentic communication with our children, understanding their unique qualities, using empowering language, and empowering them to thrive and lead purposeful lives. Conscious parenting goes beyond the traditional approach and requires parents to be actively engaged, present, and intentional in their interactions with their children, which will ultimately shape them into confident, compassionate, and successful people who go on to become the next… fill-in-the-blank.