Parenting Transformation Journey – page 9
(Click here for page 1)

Last night, I was honestly amazed by how much energy I still had after a full day of intentional parenting. Somehow, I even managed to knock out a few extra tasks before heading to bed around 12:30 a.m. Slept well—aside from being attacked by a baby gorilla in my dreams. 😅

If you read my last post, you might’ve picked up on my uneasiness about sharing this journey so publicly. I started wondering if my motives might be misunderstood, or worse, if my children might one day regret having their private lives shared in a public space. So, I brought it up with them at breakfast.

I explained to them that it’s been a long time since I’ve tried to deeply learn something new. Sure, I’ve picked up plenty of things over the years, but often just on the surface. This—this new set of principles and skills—I want these to really become a part of me. I want them to feel second-nature.

So I told them that after Nicholeen’s class last week, I went back through my notes using about six different colored highlighters and pens. One color at a time, layer by layer, I revisited the ideas that stood out the most. I ended up reviewing those notes at least six times. What started as a couple golden nuggets became something more like full-color mental snapshots—I could see the ideas, the page layouts, the colors, the thoughts connected to each.

I also shared that Nicholeen recommends writing about the process as you go, because it helps with memory and internalization. She said, “We read to teach, and we write to learn.” At first, I wasn’t sure that applied to me. I’ve always felt like I write to teach and read to learn… but when I really thought about it, it is in the writing that I end up learning the most after all.

So, I told them about the blog—and how I’m using it as a tool to reflect and learn while putting this parenting method into practice. I also told them I was beginning to feel hesitant about keeping it public, and I wanted to know how they felt. I explained that I wasn’t using names, but acknowledged that people who know our family might be able to figure out who’s who.

One by one, they told me they were okay with it. Even my daughter who’d had the hardest time yesterday was on board. They actually liked the idea that our experience could help another family.

I reassured them that if they ever changed their minds, I could make it private at any time. But they encouraged me to keep it public. They understood the purpose: to recognize what needs work, to address it, and to share the progress—not just the problems. As long as we also show the good that comes out of it, they felt good about the project.

One sweet thing I want to mention: my daughter who’s now more than halfway through the 24-hour process had a little moment of public recognition today. One of my sons—who often butts heads with her—said something unexpected this morning: “Mom, [this sister] is amazing. She is really growing up! I’ve just been noticing what a good person she really is.” The fact that he said it in front of her made it even more powerful. A real win.

If you disagree with anything I’m doing, then before leaving your comments, all I ask is that you please first watch this television episode so you can see where this is going. They say that in the middle of a life-saving surgery it can appear as though there has been a murder in the room. It might get a little messy in the middle, but I do believe and trust in the end result. Each of my posts – standing alone – will not provide the big picture, but the episode does. Enjoy!