Navigating Parenthood: Breaking Inherited Patterns and Making Conscious Choices

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Parents often recognize patterns from their own upbringing and consciously choose whether to adopt or reject those patterns in their parenting. Despite the lack of a parenting manual, individuals can learn from their parents while also making deliberate choices to parent differently. It is essential to acknowledge that parents did their best with the resources and knowledge available at the time. Making conscious decisions, like choosing not to use physical violence for discipline, even if it differs from one's upbringing, can lead to a more evolved parenting style. Evolving as individuals through experiences, reading, and mindset shifts can also contribute to becoming better parents and humans, showing the importance of continuously striving for personal growth in the journey of parenthood.

When you think of your home or your childhood, what comes to mind? Did you feel cared for and loved? Did you trust that your parents were always doing what’s best for you? Whether you are a parent or a child, healthy communication is one of the most important aspects of an intentional relationship with your family. Today’s guest, Ebony Roberts, is a writer, educator, activist, and mother. After ending their relationship, she and her ex-partner (author Shaka Senghor) decided to continue co-parenting their child. In this episode, she shares tips on how to establish good communication at home and gives deep insight on how to prioritize trust, open-ness, and of course, love. You can read more about Ebony’s story in her book, “The love prison made and unmade” (Harper Collins, 2019) and check out her talk at TED.com