Have you ever noticed that when you talk to your child, it sometimes feels like your own childhood is speaking through you?
You know that moment—a phrase slips out and you realize it’s something your parent once said to you. Suddenly, you’re both the adult and the child in the room.
That tone, that familiar phrase, that classic “because I said so” slips out before you even realize it.
That tone, that familiar phrase, that classic “because I said so” slips out before you even realize it.
But the truth is, it’s not about copying our parents.
Sometimes, it’s the younger version of ourselves—still wanting to be heard—who speaks up when we least expect it.
Sometimes, it’s the younger version of ourselves—still wanting to be heard—who speaks up when we least expect it.
This is our real parenting legacy: the feelings, fears, and dreams we pass on—sometimes without even realizing it.
Over the years, while working in the schools I manage, I see this inheritance every day in classrooms, hallways, and conversations.
A father once told me, “I just want my son to be tougher than I was.” His voice shook. It wasn’t really about toughness; it was about the boy he used to be, who was never allowed to cry.
A mother, sitting across from a teacher, whispered, “I don’t want her to make the same mistakes I did.” Yet her daughter’s so-called “mistakes” were really just her curiosity coming to life.
A father once told me, “I just want my son to be tougher than I was.” His voice shook. It wasn’t really about toughness; it was about the boy he used to be, who was never allowed to cry.
A mother, sitting across from a teacher, whispered, “I don’t want her to make the same mistakes I did.” Yet her daughter’s so-called “mistakes” were really just her curiosity coming to life.
We often think parenting is about shaping our children, but often it’s about letting go of who we were told to be, so our kids can grow into themselves.
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry, in her insightful book “The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)”, reminds us that parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness.
This is one of the most meaningful positive parenting tips I’ve found: notice what’s being repeated, what’s being healed, and what should end with us.
This is one of the most meaningful positive parenting tips I’ve found: notice what’s being repeated, what’s being healed, and what should end with us.
Our children inherit more than just our smiles or the color of our eyes.
They also inherit the feelings we never fully worked through and the stories we never had a chance to change.
They also inherit the feelings we never fully worked through and the stories we never had a chance to change.
Next time you’re about to react, take a moment to pause.
Ask yourself: Is this really about my child, or is it about the child I used to be?
Ask yourself: Is this really about my child, or is it about the child I used to be?
True healing doesn’t begin by changing our children.
It starts by facing our own struggles and giving ourselves a little more understanding.
It starts by facing our own struggles and giving ourselves a little more understanding.
At school, we witness these moments of change every day, whether it is a teacher who kneels beside a child who has made a mistake and says, “It’s okay, we can fix this together.” Sometimes, a student’s quiet hesitation reminds a teacher of how tough it was to find their own voice. Rather than correcting, the teacher offers encouragement and support. When we take the time to look past the surface, we start to really understand our kids. That’s when real connection happens—and both adults and children can move forward together.
That’s what holistic education really means: not just focusing on grades, but also helping kids grow emotionally and socially.
This is also how we help children develop life skills: by showing compassion, teaching them to reflect, and guiding them through emotions, relationships, and setbacks.
This is also how we help children develop life skills: by showing compassion, teaching them to reflect, and guiding them through emotions, relationships, and setbacks.
Today, as stress and anxiety rise among students, this emotional safety net is more important than any grade.
Helping a child feel seen, heard, and valued isn’t just being gentle; it’s a smart approach. It builds the confidence, curiosity, and calm they will carry throughout life.
Helping a child feel seen, heard, and valued isn’t just being gentle; it’s a smart approach. It builds the confidence, curiosity, and calm they will carry throughout life.
When we give our children what we once longed for—patience, love, and acceptance—
We are not just parenting; we are changing the future.
We are breaking old cycles. We are reimagining childhood. We are choosing to love in new ways, so our children can live in new ways.
We are not just parenting; we are changing the future.
We are breaking old cycles. We are reimagining childhood. We are choosing to love in new ways, so our children can live in new ways.
That is the heart of Imadeation, a movement that grew from reflection and renewal.
It is about rethinking how we raise and educate children—not to chase perfection, but to nurture presence, empathy, and imagination.
It is about rethinking how we raise and educate children—not to chase perfection, but to nurture presence, empathy, and imagination.
When we work through the voices we inherited, we give the next generation a better chance to find their own.
