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One of the hardest parts of cycle breaking is the pushback.
I get it too.
I want you to know what keeps me going in my connection focused parenting approach...in all of my years working with families I have NEVER seen a parent regret being compassionate and connected to their child.
The regrets I see parents process over and over have two themes in common: harsh response to their children, or disconnection from their children.
Hang in there, and return to the wisdom of kindness when you are being critiqued.
A message to all fathers: keep going with your efforts to connect with your children because they desperately need to see what a healthy, connected, caring male looks like, and it will create a secure attachment that fosters resilience.
Learn why kindness is a learned behavior that requires empathy and space for development, especially for neurodivergent children, in this informative video that encourages viewers to seek evaluation if standard teaching methods are not effective.
The most helpful way for a child to understand boundaries is to model it for them, and as parents, we should also honor some of our children's boundaries as well to protect connection and safety, not power.