This week, I kicked things off with a 7am HIIT class, and I felt awesome! Strong, centred, and ready to take on the challenges of the week (and yes, I guess #smug ).
(Not meaning to be annoying!). It was a moment of self-care, one that allowed me to focus on my wellbeing, as I know when I do this, I can show up for the things that are most important to me (MY all) in the way I want to.
But this particular Monday was different. It was the one-year anniversary of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. As I reflected on my morning, I found myself asking: How do we reconcile moments of personal focus and joy (I realise some of us still feel as though this is 'indulgent') with the heavier weight of the world around us?
As parents, this question feels especially pressing and also one that I feel as though I need to wait until I'm a 'grown up' to answer - oh wait, hang on a second...
We’re not just responsible for our own wellbeing, but also for raising children who are conscious, kind, and empathetic in a world that often feels chaotic and very much NOT kind. It can sometimes feel so overwhelming that if we think too much about it we'd lock our doors from the outside world, ban any form of outside communication and live in that good old 'cotton wool' wrapping.
In the midst of global wars, loss, challenges and unimaginable tragedy, how do we teach them to care for themselves while staying aware of the world? It's that balance of wanting them to know how fortunate they are without doing the "you don't know you're born" trick many of us brought up in the 80's can likely relate to!
Shifting from ‘Having It All’ to YOUR All
There’s a narrative we often hear—especially as parents—about “having it all.” We’re told we need to juggle everything perfectly: career, parenting, social life, self-care. But, as you'll know if you're read any of my blogs before, I believe in a different approach.
It’s not about having it all, but about having YOUR all—finding what truly matters to you and making space for that.
For me, that 7am HIIT class wasn’t just about physical health; it was a way to show up fully for myself, so I could later show up for others. It was a reminder that self-care isn't a luxury; it's essential. As working parents, when we neglect our own needs, we lose our ability to be present, patient, and focused.
Taking care of ourselves isn't selfish; it's how we equip ourselves to handle everything else in life—our jobs, our families, and yes, even the emotional weight of global events. I'm sure I'm not the only one that sometimes will flick from the news over to 'Selling Sunset / Children Ruin Everything / [Insert your choice of guilty pleasure]' as it just feels TOO MUCH.
Parenting in a Complex World: Teaching Empathy and Resilience
As part of my 40 Days of Parenting series, I’ve been reflecting on the values we instil in our children. Beyond the routines and logistics of daily life, how do we raise kids who are not only aware of the world’s complexities but also equipped to navigate them with empathy and resilience?
We can't shield our children from everything, but we can teach them the importance of balance. We can model for them what it looks like to care for ourselves while being mindful of others.
In a world filled with uncertainty, we can show them how to be grounded in their own values while also staying open-hearted toward the challenges others face.
This doesn’t mean we ignore what's happening around us. On the contrary, we can create opportunities to discuss global events with our children in age-appropriate ways. It’s about helping them understand that while we prioritise self-care and our immediate family, we are also part of a larger community—one where kindness, awareness, and empathy are paramount.
Creating Space for Reflection
On this day, as we reflect on the world’s challenges, it's important to ask ourselves: What kind of world are we raising our children in? Are we teaching them to simply “do it all” at any cost, or are we encouraging them to find balance and care for their whole selves?
As part of your own parenting journey, I encourage you to make space for both—taking care of your well-being and being conscious of the world your children are growing up in.
This isn’t about perfection, but about giving yourself permission to focus on what matters most to YOU and, in doing so, showing your kids the importance of self-care, empathy, and resilience in the face of life’s many challenges. In that way, not only are we doing what we can to prepare them to be ready for the challenges they will personally face (and in many cases, already are), we are also raising them to value extending themselves kindness in the same way we do to others whilst having a curious, vested and empathetic genuine awareness and appreciation in the world around them.
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