22/01/2026
Not gonna lie, watching this back the thing I’m proudest of is fitting into that damn Elsa dress.
Technically she’s almost five, but 5 going on 13! I don’t know where she developed such an attitude, but if I’d done that when I was her age, you all know what time it would have been 🏏 She is very lucky I’m trying not to repeat past traumas.
I’ve been very conscious of trying to encourage emotional intelligence. Listening to feelings, figuring out why she feels that way and talking about how to react to those feelings in a non-destructive way. I fail a lot. There are days when I don’t care how she feels. I shout and order her around. I’m still trying really hard to find the balance.
I am not the fun parent. I am the parent who is always telling you to clean up, hurry up, brush your teeth, eat your food, no you can’t do this, no you can’t do that, and even I get tired of myself; but I’m always thinking about every little thing that needs to be done. And I’ll admit it affects my patience and often leaves me feeling chronically frustrated - with the kids and with myself.
You know that Bluey episode when they’re on holiday and Chilli just wants to get to the beach, but the kids want to play in the hotel room so Bandit tells her to go by herself, but she can’t do it. She comes back to the hotel room and tells Bandit ‘I don’t know how to relax’, and I felt that in my soul. I am always on, always thinking about the next thing, and I. Just. Can’t. Slow. Down. But I know I need to practice more patience and presence with my kids. Before they’re past the age where they forgive really easily.
Some days I feel like I’m killing this gentle parenting thing; and other days I feel like the worst parent in the world, but I’m trying. Check back in with me in 6 months and hopefully I’ll have shown some progress 😅 I would love to know what’s worked for you.
