I occasionally have the joy of working with people who were clearly raised in a healthy way.
It is surprisingly rare in this line of work, partially, of course, because people with healthy upbringings probably need less therapy.
But when they do, for example to help them address specific life circumstances like a move, a divorce, or a death of a loved one, the way they process things is striking. I find that they dwell less on the issue, and are able to resolve or release their emotional conflicts more easily. They are more easily able to balance nuanced emotions, or to find the silver lining in whatever they are going through.
Good parenting creates a baseline of safety for a person to explore the world, and themselves, with more courage. It instills a basic sense of worth, that you are good enough as you are. This often has the inverse effect of a person being able to work harder with less procrastination, as their worth isn’t tied up with their accomplishments.
If you are a parent, realize the difference that your own emotional growth can make on your children’s lives. By accepting yourself more fully, you are in a better position to help your kids accept themselves as they are, and develop the resilience and tools to navigate life mor effectively far into adulthood.
