Are you striving to raise confident children while navigating the challenges of parenting and teaching? The journey can feel overwhelming, but embracing certain guiding principles can make all the difference. In this article, I will explore ten essential strategies that work for me as a single mom with +20 year background in education. I use these guidelines to foster resilience, empathy, and self-love in my children and students. I take pride in my parenting tips, as they align closely with the principles outlined in Brené Brown’s bestselling book Daring Greatly. In her insightful work, Brené Brown explores the importance of resilience and courage in the face of criticism. If you’re interested in deepening your understanding of these concepts, I highly recommend checking out her resource on «Daring Greatly.» Click here for more information!
Let’s dive into how you can empower the next generation through empathetic parenting and wholehearted leadership!
1. Prioritize Your Self-Care First
Self-care isn’t just a trendy concept associated with new age practices; rather, it is the most fundamental aspect of our overall well-being. When you take care of yourself, you will be able to face any challenges as you continue to nurture your children. Model self-love by showing your kids what self-care looks like. An emotionally healthy parent is the best life insurance for your children, laying the groundwork for empathetic leadership.
Takeaways:
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- Prioritize your own health and happiness to create a nurturing space for your kids.
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- Children learn by observation, so practice self-love and empathy daily.
2. Manage Your Mind for Positive Outcomes
Your mindset shapes your reality. If you don’t actively manage your thoughts, they can negatively affect your interactions and decisions. Spot your fears and self-limiting beliefs and adjust them for better results. This self-management is key to effectively avoid passing on your own limitations over to them.
Takeaways:
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- A well-managed mind leads to healthier relationships with your children.
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- Be a creator of your reality by enhancing your self-awareness and fostering encouraging thoughts.
3. Embrace Your Responsibility in Their Moral Development
As a parent or educator, you play a crucial role in your child’s moral and emotional growth. It’s your responsibility to guide them toward maturity. Don’t just delegate that job to others. Set boundaries by establishing clear expectations and adapting them as your child grows in maturity and effective self-management. Model integrity to show the importance of honesty and accountability, Let them know they can always start over and try again as they address their challenges without crippling self-judgement. Holding safe space for them is the essence of empathetic parenting.
Takeaways:
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- Your involvement and integrity are key to helping children mature and develop moral values.
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- Adapt your approach and be less controlling based on their growth and needs.
4. Cherish Time Together
Time flies, babies don’t keep, children become teens and young adults. Make the most of the moments you have with them. Intentionally create memories through engaging activities. It’s not so much about what you do together or being the perfect mom as to being in the present moment with them in such a way that the passing of time is not a threat.
Takeaways:
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- Quality time strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories.
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- Embrace each moment to foster a loving environment that will nurture their trust in you and consequently in themselves.
5. Love Them Unconditionally
Honesty is the cornerstone of meaningful relationships. Let your children know when they make mistakes but make sure they feel their shortcomings can’t take away your unconditional love for them. Express your feelings openly and take responsibility for them so they grow to see vulnerability as a strength. This openness fosters an empathetic atmosphere where children feel safe to express themselves and take chances and responsibility for how they feel.
Takeaways:
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- Unconditional love fosters a safe space for children to develop with confidence.
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- Honesty teaches accountability and emotional intelligence.
6. Foster a Growth Mindset
Encourage your kids to see challenges as opportunities for growth. A growth mindset empowers them to embrace learning. Celebrate effort by praising their hard work, not just outcomes, and foster curiosity by exploring new ideas together. This approach nurtures both their leadership skills and their ability to connect with others.
Takeaways:
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- A growth mindset equips children with resilience, communication skills, and adaptability.
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- Emphasize the importance of effort over perfection.
7. Seek Support and Build Community
No one can do it alone. Surround yourself with a supportive community that shares your values and goals. Find allies by connecting with other parents or educators for shared experiences. Accept help when you need it and recognize that everyone requires support. If it feels too hard sometimes, chances are you are doing it right. It doesn’t matter what your family looks like. We all need to lean on each other along the way.
Takeaways:
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- A strong support network can provide encouragement and insight.
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- Collaboration with others enriches your parenting journey and helps you conquer self-doubt, burnout, and exhaustion.
8. Lead by Example
Children are keen observers. Your actions speak louder than words, so model the behaviors you want to instill in them. Demonstrate values such as integrity, empathy, leadership, accountability, vulnerability, and resilience in your daily life. Share your journey by discussing your challenges and how you try to overcome them. Leading by example is a fundamental aspect of both empathetic parenting and effective leadership in any organizations.
Takeaways:
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- Leading by example is one of the most powerful tools in parenting and any management position.
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- Your behavior sets the tone for your child’s development.
9. Enjoy the Journey
Celebrate milestones as a family, focusing on the effort rather than just the outcomes. Keep your curiosity alive to inspire each other from a place of abundance, trust, and faith in the future. Imagining and dreaming together will set them up for success. This celebration of the journey in and of itself reinforces the empathy and leadership qualities they will need to show up as agents in their life.
Takeaways:
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- Cherishing the journey makes parenting and life a joyful experience.
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- Celebrating efforts and dreaming about the future strengthens family bonds and excitement about the future.
10. Take Imperfect Action and Empower Your Parenting Journey Today!
The way we show up as parents profoundly influences our children and the world at large. It’s not about being perfect but about being intentional and wholehearted. It takes courage, resilience, and creativity—qualities that define great leadership. Regardless of your life circumstances, you are free to decide what those circumstances mean and find the seeds of opportunity they contain.
It’s time to take action! Today, celebrate what you already do well and choose a few of these principles to start implementing in your daily life. Share your journey with others and build community. By doing so, you can create a nurturing and supportive environment for your children to thrive alongside their bold and empathetic mom.
Call to Action: What strategies have you found most interesting in fostering empathy and leadership in your children? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Your insights could inspire other parents and educators!
We’ve got this!
Julia Santafé, MA
Founder, She Knows How
