Parenting is about how you see your role in your children’s lives. Family encompasses the family you came from – the family who raised you – as well as your current immediate family.
Being on the road or working extended overtime makes it tough to be present for your kids, but not impossible. Do you tell yourself that your children only need you for your money? Do you tell yourself that you can’t have a strong relationship with your children because you are away so much?
You can be the person you want to be for your children, even when you are away; but this takes mindful and intentional planning.
Start your journey to the relationship you want and need with your children and your original family by asking yourself the questions below.
Learn what you want your relationship with your children to look like:
- How do you want your children to see you as a person?
- What do you want to teach your children above all else?
- What level of connection do you want with your children?
- What experiences do you want to have with your children?
- What milestones do you want to make sure you are present for with your children?
- What do you want your children to remember most about you?
- What values do you want to pass down?
- What parts of your past are important for you to share with your children?
- What do you enjoy doing most with your children?
- What places do you want to see with your children?
The questions above will help you be more mindful about what is important to you when it comes to parenting your children. You can use the answers to these questions to guide the actions you must take to become more satisfied in this domain and to strengthen the connection you have with your children. Here are some helpful ideas for spending quality time with your children.
Questions to ask yourself about the family you came from:
- What parts of your family do you want to carry forward with your own children?
- Are there traditions you want to continue in your household?
- Are there parts of your family experience or family tendencies that you want to make sure you do not carry forward?
- Are there relationships within your family you want to repair?
- Are there any family members you want to separate from?
We all have things on our family tree we wish were not there. The good news is we get to decide what stops with us and what we carry forward. Use your answers to the questions above to guide the actions that will take you closer to satisfaction within your family domain.
For more guidance, check out additional resources from Domain Wellness Partners by clicking the button below.