Meta Mentoring

If you are showing up in your relationships as; *a watered down version of yourself, *a nicer version of yourself, *someone without many needs so you're more likeable, ... you'll eventually feel; *tired because it's exhausting work hiding! *lonely because we never let the other person fully in *depressed because you are suppressing parts of you for long periods of time Maybe, somewhere along the way you picked up a "should" and that's how you got into this position? Or you had a judgement about yourself and housing parts of you seemed like a good strategy at the time? To improve our connection with others and feel more lightness and ease, we can begin by practicing self awareness and self compassion. Once you feel a sense of safety and awareness with yourself, it's time to share with others. We need to be willing to share ourselves, not in demanding ways, but to invite others in. Allowing others to see our beautiful needs and intentions is an opportunity to strengthen connection. Without sharing who we are and how others can contribute in our lives, our relationships never get a chance to grow. If you'd like to improve your self awareness and compassion, I have self connection cards available for free on my MEMBERVAULT START HERE page. Share your email (then you'll also get my intermittent email communications) and download a copy of the cards to print off copy for yourself. It's a fun little game you can play alone or with others. When you have a moment and feel like having more connection, pull a card and reflect! If you'd like to improve your relationships with your kids, we work on self awareness and expression in my ConnectedParenting class. Get on my email list to learn about the next offering. Erin See more

Have you ever felt buried under the needs of others? Perhaps this dynamic happened in your role as a parent, friend, partner, employee, or as a child? Some relationships can be complicated, can't they? It can be really challenging to reclaim parts of ourselves that we have quieted while serving others. I think the path back to ourselves starts with little moments of awareness about our bodies, feelings, and needs. Sometimes those moments lead to requests we might have of our...selves and others, but just having the awareness of what's alive in us is a great starting point. Slowly, slowly, we can discover what brings us joy and how to nurture ourselves. That's self love. That's freedom. Where are you at in your journey? Erin

What does it feel like to be truly seen for who you are? When we are seen for our beautiful intentions, it feels deeply validating. My dear friend @thecreativewitch Kinga offered to paint a portrait of me from a picture I have on this feed. This is a new offering she has as an art therapist where she paints a portrait incorporating elements and symbolism of who of the person truly is. The portrait Kinga created of me is not only a true likeness of me, it's also the essence ...of me. She included a lot of natural elements because it's such an integral part of who I am. For example, I'm wearing a spiderweb necklace with dew to represent femininity and weaving creativity in the world. The swirling hair represents swirling possibilities. The balance of day and night, the colors, the bird and flowers...there were so many elements that were "me" both on the surface and symbolically. It felt like such a gift to be seen so clearly and beautifully by someone else. Kinga is now making this art for clients to help them see the beauty they bring to the world. If you would like to see your intention in the world expressed in a painting, I totally recommend this experience. I can also recommend my friend Tess if you would prefer someone to create a song for you and Willie creates beautiful handwritten letters. Being seen and understood are human needs. It can feel like such a gift to be seen fully and beautifully in our intentions. Thanks for this experience Kinga!

Have you ever been professionally ghosted? I have and it was such a gift. In April 2020, I was surprised to have the opportunity to speak with a UK podcaster who worked with some very prominent folks in my field. I didn't see myself "at this level" yet even though I knew what to say. Jennifer @livhealthyjennifer had recommended me for this interview. She had been helping me to see what else might be possible for me... You see, after a pro...fessional setback and getting very ill, I was having trouble mustering energy. Being in our first Covid lockdown didn't help. However, on this rainy day, I was ready to focus my attention and energy on this podcast exploratory call. I felt clear and focused. I didn't need to push myself, I felt ready. I had forgotten what it was like to wear an ironed shirt and put on makeup and just look professional. And then the interviewer never showed up. I sent a text and a DM and an email. Nothing. Nothing ever! It was so strange. Was I professionally ghosted? Almost immediately I recognized the gift of this experience. I didn't need the interview to catch a glimpse of what might be possible for me. THAT was so empowering. Message received - no need for the interview. Jennifer helped me see where I was going and I was so thankful. As parents, we can do this for our kids too. We see their spark and hold space for them to step into who they are - it's so rewarding! This is actually the work I offer as a coach/mentor also. When I talk to parents, I listen for clues about where they're at and where they would like to go. Then I hold that space of what might be possible at the forefront of our conversations. You do the work, I am a co-holder of your vision until you've got it on your own. If you'd like to explore what might be possible for you as a parent, let's talk? Erin See more

I often talk about honouring all the needs. Honoring all the needs is different from meeting all the unmet needs. In reality, we often have to choose which needs we're going to value or we may not have access to the strategies we wish we did - strategies that would enable us to meet more needs. It's heartbreaking to not have access to strategies or to have to choose when we wish we didn't. Mourning those tough decisions and lack of strate...gies is a way to honor all the needs. Honor your child's mourning too. By acknowledging the unmet needs with empathy and lack of strategies available you can at least keep the connection alive. You can meet other needs like a need to be heard and find pockets for collaboration. Examples of what this might look like are giving space for your kid to cry about missing playtime with a friend or you having a good cry because you can't figure out how to support your child's online learning and work and keep the house running and you need a break... Mourning what's not possible right now is another way of honoring and staying connected to your feelings and to your kids. All the needs matter and it can be painful when they have to go unmet. #empoweringkids #connectedparenting #peacefulparenting #gentleparenting #honestmommin #consciousparent #consciousparenting #positiveparentingtips #parentinglife #thoughtprocess #changeyourmindset #leadwithlove #parentingjourney #parentchildrelationship #nvckids #selfcompassion #nvc #nonviolentcommunication #compassionatecommunication #connectedcommunication #attunedparent #selfunderstanding #understandinglife #thoughtprocess #selfdirectedlife #selfdirectedhealing #peacefulmindpeacefullife #communicationskills #selfdiscovery #selfcompassion See more

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." Maya Angelou I love cardinal birds, like the one in this picture. They look beautiful and one of their bird calls is "cheer cheer cheer". How's that for a song? If I were to think of my "song" that I'm sharing with the world lately it would be; "You don't have to have all the answers or have everything figured out. Just keep moving in the directions of joy... and gentleness every time it's an option for you. All the little steps in the right direction will add up." It's such a joy to share with folks in my facilitated classes, 1:1 coaching, and back pocket coaching. (New ConnectedParenting online facilitated course starting soon!) Lots of folks are feeling so drained and I feel like I've got energy to give right now. Is there a beautiful message you've been sharing in the world lately? #understandinglife #thoughtprocess #selfdirectedlife #selfdirectedliving #selfdirectedhealing #leadwithlove #hopeishere #changeyourperspective #changeyourself #peacefulmindpeacefullife #selfcompassion #changeyourthinking #changeyourmindset #unschoolinglife #unschoolingfamily #unschooling #unschoolers #learningallthetime #naturallearners #connectedparenting #empoweringkids #attunedparents #peacefulparenting #gentleparenting #honestmommin #consciousparent #consciousparenting #parentinglife #parentingjourney #attunedparent See more

I've got a new parenting tips video! https://youtu.be/S_YkEPt2gbo

Frontline healthcare workers who would appreciate empathic listening, here is a free offering for you from NVC trainer Henry Wai. (I've checked frontline animal healthcare workers can receive this offering also.) https://listeningforhealth.org/