Parent coaching blog one: the learning curve

Lesson one—do not strive for perfection, or even getting it mostly right. Example: I’m setting up my business. I have great ideas. I made a video. When I put it on my blog, it turns into a vlog. Which is fun to say. Say it with me! VLOG. Hee hee. I get ready to do it, and it turns out I can’t just post my amazing video with one click onto my new blog. I have to embed it, whatever that means. I consult my assistant (husband), and he explains that I have to create another account, post the video there, then embed it here. Down the rabbit hole I go.

And of course, this example could absolutely relate to parenting. You want to throw the perfect birthday party with all the trimmings? Guess what? They’re out of sky blue crepe paper. Those plates you wanted only come in a 50 pack, and you’re only having 12 guests. Here’s what you do: take a deep breath, and walk away for a little while. Take some time to think. It doesn’t have to be perfect, or even close to perfect. What matters is that you have the energy to think about your next steps clearly. “But what if I don’t have the time? I’m in the middle of my kid’s meltdown!” You have the time. You have 10 seconds. Take 5 steps somewhere, anywhere. Sniff the flower (deep breath in through your nose), and blow out the candle (blow breath out through your mouth). Start again.