Just about everything makes me think about parenting and relationships. Today it was the laundry.
Since my mind works in metaphors I started thinking about the similarities and differences between laundry and parenting. They both are never ending and seem to run in cycles.
In the same way that the nature of certain fabrics calls for a ‘gentle’ approach, sensitive children need ultra tender care and understanding. This is not a judgment; it’s just the way it is.
While there are times it is appropriate and necessary to switch to ‘heavy duty’ we always must check first to be sure that the rougher setting will not be harmful. In the same way that fabrics can be torn apart, so can little hearts.
There are many times when we are left wondering what really falls into the category of ‘normal’ and just when it seems like you’re done figuring it out, another load piles up and calls for your attention. We sometimes wish the laundry, like parenting, would just take care of itself.
And what about the stuff that’s inside out? As I started to flip socks, shirts and underwear to their ‘outside in’ state of alignment I started to wonder about the way people relate to each other.
Most of us deal with life from the ‘outside-in.’
We notice what is happening around us, outside of us and then we have a reaction. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if we encouraged ourselves to live in an ‘inside-out’ state, where we started to notice what was happening inside of us first; worked on those thoughts and feelings and then brought this inner alignment outward.
I’m suggesting that you take a moment to think about your relationship with your kids. What cycle are you on? Does it need a bit of an adjustment? Are you living your life from the outside-in or from the inside-out?
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