Parenting myths hinder our ability to define parenting on our terms.
In fact, I didn’t realize how deep my conditioning on what society tells us!
Suddenly, my mind kept envisioning a reality where my goals and desires for my future were long gone.
Moving forward in my pregnancy, I decided to make a conscious decision to reject that ridiculous notion and redefine parenthood on my own terms.
So, let’s dive deep into the top 3 parenting myths society places on us, and how we can alter these stereotypes to positively redefine what parenthood means for you.
1. You Can Still Travel
Who says traveling has to come to a halt just because you become a parent?
Of course, it comes with its own unexpected challenges, but so does everything and that certainly doesn’t mean it can’t be done!
In fact, traveling with a baby comes with its own privileges as they don’t have to go to school.
And with older kids it fosters resilience, independence, and open-mindfulness through exploring different cultures.
You have to decide what traveling will look like for your family.
Perhaps, it’s making trips during holidays a priority or even deciding to go full-time.
The possibilities are endless, but the point is: it is still a possibility!
If you’re interested in traveling full time with your family, check out the World Travel Family who have a load of resources and information based on their own personal journey:
2. You Can Still Pursue Passions
It seems as if there is a never-winning contest on which woman can sacrifice the most for their children.
This is reflected all the time in the media, highlighting stories that judge parents who are seen out without their children for an occasion.
But in reality, it’s not about putting our needs before our children, or our children’s needs before our own.
When we prioritize the things that make us feel the most alive we are teaching our children self-love and perseverance through our actions shown towards ourselves!
3. Your child is not a prison sentence
Have you ever someone say something along the lines of, “When you have a child, you’re stuck for the next 18 years of your life!”
Now, why do we as a society fill the need to portray kids as our inevitable house arrest for the next several years, that we can kick out once they magically turn 18?
Our children are not jail sentences, they’re humans, who want to experience the journey of life with us!
THE TAKEAWAY:
Our society places many parenting myths on the on what being a parent should “look like” but ultimately it’s up for us to decide.
Ask yourself, what being a parent mean for you?
Perhaps, it’s traveling the world and showing your children different cultures.
Or maybe it’s simply taking 10 minutes for yourself after a long day at work, instead of immediately going to play with your children.
In doing so, we not only our honoring ourselves but teaching our children the importance of self-love and ambition, skills we hope they’ll demonstrate in the future.