One of the most transformative yet challenging aspects of Aware Parenting is that it isn't possible to hold space for our children's big feelings, to play with them in the ways they need us to, or to offer the level of presence that they seek, when we have our own unmet needs or unexpressed painful feelings. 

In order to offer compassion to our children we need to ourselves receive compassion for what we are navigating. For many of us, this is like learning a new language, as it is so different to the ways we were responded to as children. Most of us have learned to ignore many of our own needs and to repress painful feelings. Practising Aware Parenting invites us to cultivate a new relationship with ourselves, so that we can show up for our children in the ways that truly serve them.