Giving Our Best

By Cecilia Yu

We all want to provide the best for our children and parent in the best way we can. Many of us look outside for opportunities to help us do that. We climb mountains to access those opportunities for our little ones, and when we're lucky enough to have disposable income, we spend it on further opportunities for them. Sure, oftentimes in this race where there is no time to snooze (because you will lose, as many will remind us), we help our children create a polished CV. But are we truly doing the best for them? For the people they will interact with, the ones they will love, form lifetime partnerships with, or even give birth to one day? Are we? What if we start with ourselves, giving ourselves the best we know how?

Photo from Canva.

Giving Our Best 

We want to give the best to our children.

Best food.

Best school.

Best activities.

Best clothes.

Best experiences.

Best of everything we can afford.

But do we really know what is best for them?
What is best for their friends?

For their future partners?

For their children some years from now?

What if we can plant the seeds for that best?

What if planting these seeds requires us to only

Pause, listen.

Accept, reflect.

On who our little ones really are? 

What if we let them 

Speak…

Yell!

Cry,

Agonize. 

About what truly aches them?

What if doing this exemplifies that

their feelings are not too big, not too small, they just “are”?

That their hurts are normal, and never to be shushed?

Our expectations aren’t always for them to bear.

Their behaviors do not impart a permanent impression;
their reactions are not badges of shame to be worn. 

And what if holding space for them to do all of this starts with

Us: 

Pausing

Listening

Accepting

Reflecting

Forgiving

Ourselves?

What if we start with us?

What if that is the best we can give our children?

About the Author

Cecilia Yu is a self-compassion enthusiast and coach. Certified in Integrative Nutrition Coaching, Culinary Nutrition, Goddess Yoga and Women’s Circle Leadership, Cecilia empowers mommies and their loved ones to lead a healthy, soulful life through anti-inflammatory dietary lifestyle, meditations, yoga, journaling, and her Self-Compassion Circles for Moms. For inspiration, follow her on @CeciliaADoseofVitaminL (FB/IG).