Can we love our children too much?

“The brain becomes what it does most frequently. It is shaped every day by what we do — and what we don’t do.

If we don’t practice empathy, we can’t become more empathetic. If we don’t interact with people, we can’t improve our connections to them. If we don’t ease each other’s stress through caring contact, we will all be increasingly distressed.” ~ Dr. Bruce Perry

Food for thought. And timely as it arrived shortly after I read this thought provoking post, ‘You just broke your child. Congratulations.’ at Single Dad Laughing (found via Good Goog).

Although I wholeheartedly believe in parenting in ways which place importance on the developing relationship between parent and child, that are emotionally responsive, that are about consistency and gentleness, love and respect, I don’t always get it right (do any of us?) Especially in the wake of my recent see-sawing emotional state. Combined with the oftentimes challenging behaviour of my two-and-a-half year old as she learns to negotiate the world.

I am thankful for the reminder that parenting lovingly, gently and responsively (with consistency) is a good thing. That I am not spoiling her but instead helping her to learn to respond to others as a loving, caring individual. A reminder which will hopefully help me to take an extra breath the next time I find myself feeling snappy with frustration.