The Conscious Parent

separate being with unique desires, it’s a revealing moment for both
parent and child. A toddler’s ability to separate from your secure
embrace rests heavily on your ability to release it from your clasp. The
manner in which you negotiate the delicate dance between letting go and
still being present determines how easily your toddler will be able to
define itself as both connected to you and separate from you.
As the initial symbiotic bond is released and space created for parent
and child to intermingle as individuals, a child’s unique identity begins
to flourish. As this identity blossoms, you are likely to find yourself
thinking, “Your temperament is bursting forth. It shakes, rattles, and
astounds me. You are truly your own person. Any illusion I had that you
were my creation is dissolving.”
Like infancy, this stage of development presents parents with an
opportunity for their own spiritual development. The first mandate of
this stage is to recognize who your youngster is growing into, as opposed
to who you think your child ought to become. To this end, truly
connecting with the particular temperament of this unique individual is
crucial. Toddlerhood is a tricky stage indeed. It’s the first time a child is
able to exercise authority over its world. In its quest for self-discovery,
the toddler will bump into plenty of external obstacles. However, its
greatest hindrance will be the obstacles it faces in the guise of our
unrealistic expectations.
In its journey toward independence, what little a toddler can do for
itself is often denied it by our impositions. We seldom allow it to be in
charge of its own progression. Instead, we either push our children all the
time or we hold them back. When we hover, prod, and cajole to get the