Building Resilient Futures: The Impact of Positive Communication in Parenting

Yesterday was an unforgettable day for me as I had the privilege of attending a seminar led by the remarkable Yasmin Mogahed. Her words resonated deeply within me, leaving a profound impact and a burning desire to share the invaluable lessons I learned about the power of positive communication, particularly when it comes to our children.

Yasmin centered her talk around her book, “Healing the Emptiness: A Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being.” As someone who finds solace in exploring the realms of spiritual well-being and parenting, this topic was a perfect fit for me.

One idea Yasmin conveyed struck a chord with me like nothing before: the immense influence our words hold over our children’s self-talk as they grow. It’s a concept that is both simple and profound — the way we speak to our children when they make mistakes shapes the way they will speak to themselves when faced with setbacks in the future.

To illustrate this point, Yasmin shared a vivid and relatable example. Picture yourself driving in your car, relying on a GPS system for directions. We’ve all experienced those moments, right? Now imagine making a wrong turn despite the GPS’s constant guidance. Instead of offering understanding or encouragement, the GPS suddenly starts shaming you, declaring, “You worthless driver! How could you mess up again?”

It may seem comical, but think about how that would make you feel. Would it motivate you to correct your mistake and find your way back on track? Absolutely not! In contrast, Yasmin emphasized that a GPS calmly says, “Re-calculating,” without judgment or shame.

This analogy serves as a powerful reminder of how we should handle our children’s mistakes. Just as the GPS recalculates the route without criticism, we should respond with patience, understanding, and a problem-solving mindset. Instead of shaming our children for their missteps, let’s encourage them to retry, rethink, and redo.

By adopting a compassionate and non-judgmental approach, we foster an environment where our children feel safe to learn from their mistakes and develop into confident individuals. Our aim should be to teach them resilience and equip them with the tools to navigate life’s challenges gracefully.

Attending this seminar has ignited a fire within me to be more mindful of how I communicate with my children. It has reminded me of the immense responsibility I bear as a parent — to shape their self-perception, confidence, and ability to bounce back from setbacks.

I am now wholeheartedly committed to integrating positive and supportive communication into my parenting style. I aspire to create an atmosphere where my children feel secure to make mistakes, learn from them, and ultimately flourish as resilient and self-assured individuals.

If any of you ever have the opportunity to attend a seminar or conference on topics such as emotional well-being or parenting, I wholeheartedly encourage you to seize it! The knowledge and insights gained from these experiences can truly be transformative.

Remember, it is never too late to alter our approach and create a positive impact on our children’s lives. Let’s choose our words carefully and become the guiding light that shapes a brighter future for the next generation.

Wishing you all boundless love and radiant growth on this beautiful journey of parenting and personal development!

Note: To know about the book and Yasmin visit : https://www.almaghrib.org/instructors/yasmin-mogahed/