Can we hold radical acceptance for babies?
This week we looked a little closer at the transformative power of radical acceptance in parenthood. You may already notice a tendency to try to 'control' your baby's habits, routines, etc to match your expectations or the ideal expectations of what babies 'should' be doing. Or perhaps you thought you might be a certain type of parent and you're finding you have unexpected resistance or triggers. We considered the concept of radical acceptance as an invitation for more peaceful parenting. We can also adapt this concept in other aspects of our lives: radical acceptance of where I am right now on my path, my relationships with others or the world as it is right now.
“Once we have detached from our expectations of how another person “should” behave [in this case our babies or even ourselves] and we encounter them as they really are, the acceptance we inevitably demonstrate toward them naturally induces connection.” –Dr Shefali Tsabary
By letting go of what a baby or a parent should be doing, it's possible to truly accept reality without trying to change or fix anything. You're making peace with what is, at least in this moment. I find this concept to be very helpful in the hardest moments and super applicable in early parenting. Everyone is doing their best and learning on such a steep learning curve, it's okay to slow down, not compare yourself to others, and exercise self compassion. Empathy and understanding towards your baby is also helpful. They are here as they are and we are here to love and support them unconditionally. It can be tremendously helpful to follow their lead and be mindful of your own focus by letting go of the things that you cannot control.
More resources on this topic:
We can always circle back to examine this tool in any number of parenting moments. I hope you'll bring your moments back to the group to share them with us and celebrate your peace.