Peaceful parenting in real life
- Elaine Pratley
- Feb 2, 2024
- 1 min read
Getting personal about life as a practitioner in peace and conflict work because creating spaces for peace always extends beyond 5pm (and more importantly, our kids keep us honest).
Peaceful parenting doesn’t come naturally to me. Often, it’s hard for me to break task mode and fully focus on the kids. So, two weeks ago, I told my kids that I needed their help.
“Whenever you need hugs and my full attention, please make it extra clear to mummy.”
A few days ago, on the first day back to school, Addy hands me a letter:
“Mummy I really need a long long long and big hug.”
Thankfully I took it seriously. We hugged, and she was unusually clingy the rest of the evening. I suggested that, even though she was happy to return to school, it’s draining to start a new year or meet new people.
Addy is great with writing letters to me: when I went to bed, I found her second letter.
Parenting is tough work, but i am so glad I told them I needed help.