"Conscious Parenting Reduces Fatigue" by Scott Carlson LMHP, CTS

What we do not know about ourselves hurts us and restricts the quality of our life. It is a loving act for our self and others to be on a journey toward “the light”, pursuing the truth about our physical health, emotional, mental health, and our spiritual health. It is a journey toward consciousness. There is not a greater sacrificial gift to those we love nor a greater inspirational model for living life to all those in reach of our fruit bearing tree. It is a courageous and honorable journey. If you are a parent, please consider this.

What we do not know about our self, affects our parenting and is transmitted then to our children. The more conscious we become, the better we are as parents, the better model we are for them, and the added benefit of significantly increasing the quality of our life/health. Let me start with a simple psychological phenomena called projection. It works like an overhead projector. What is actually on the projector looks much bigger than it really is when we see it projected on the wall. The reality/truth is that a SPECK on the projector becomes bigger when it is seen outside itself.

An example of this is that if we have something in us that we do not like, when we see it in our children it will appear bigger in them. Since in our “unconscious” view it is so big in them, we will not like it and try to get them to remove it. If we unconsciously do not like our own anger, sadness, or weakness to name a few, we will parent to remove it from our children. This can lead to fatigue and exhaustion for both parents and children.

Research has shown that some of the most serious emotional disorders come from having a child’s emotions not understood. Children retreat further inside their hearts when their feelings are not allowed, listened to, and understood. If they are allowed, listened to, and empathized with a simple “that is sad for you isn’t it?” the emotions go away and don’t need any advice or fixing.

Although this may seem simple it can be very hard to consciously change. We often can’t just say those simple words because they don’t feel right to us, so without the congruence of our words with feelings we don’t or can’t say them. And this is where our sacrificial loving act for our children comes in. When we begin our own journey to bring light and truth to our self, we will better our parenting and ensure that our children can live their adult lives less consumed with the time, energy, and dollars on their personal healing journey. It is a spiritual journey, it is an awakening, it is enlightenment, it is love.

We are here to work with you one-on-one, and may also offer parenting seminars and workshops to assist you in your journey. We will have a blast while learning, healing, and bettering our lives!

- Scott Carlson LMHP, CTS

Alternatives, A Center for Conscious Health

Rockbrook Village Shopping Center

11036 Oak St.

Omaha, NE 68144

402-827-9450