Acknowledgement

feel it.

feel the thing you don’t want to feel.

feel it. and be free.

–Nayyirah Waheed

Feel and allow for the feelings of the children in your life. The first step is acknowledging that you are having feelings by tuning in to your own emotions and allowing them space. Writer and artist SARK teaches us to acknowledge feelings like this, “Fear [or whatever emotion you are feeling], I see you, I hear you, I acknowledge you.” I see you. I hear you. I acknowledge you. When you acknowledge your sadness, anger, or other feelings that are often pushed away, they have a way of softening and you begin to build more awareness of your inner life. This awareness is key to our wellbeing and healing and an important part of being a grounded and connected parent or caregiver. Additionally, when we meet our children’s feelings with acknowledgement, we help strengthen that relationship as well as the child’s emotional health.

I invite you to take a deep breath and check in with yourself. 

What feelings emerge? Where do they live in your body? What wisdom is there?