How Today's Actions Impact Tomorrow's Relationship

I had a pretty good childhood - my parents stayed together, we went on a lot of family vacations, and we had birthday celebrations. But, it was also not entirely perfect - my parents fought a lot when I was younger, my dad was almost always gone, and there was cheating.

I had a pretty good childhood — my parents stayed together, we went on a lot of family vacations, and we had birthday celebrations. But, it was also not entirely perfect — my parents fought a lot when I was younger, my dad was almost always gone, and there was cheating. And now, as a parent, I worry about the sort of impression I’m leaving on my own children and how it may affect them in the future. How do I make sure that when my kids look back on their childhood, they have memories that make them feel good, happy, and secure even in the face of future challenges?

So, today we’re going to be taking a look at this question from a few different angles: your everyday life, how to do it when your kids are challenging, and how to do it when you make mistakes. And be sure to tune into this episode even if you don’t have kids — these concepts apply to all relationships!

Topics Discussed:

[:42] Reflecting on the good and the bad aspects of my childhood and how it affects me today.

[4:07] How do we, as parents, make sure that when our kids look back on their childhood, they have memories that make them feel good, happy, and secure even in the face of the many challenges they will face?

[6:06] The three aspects we should consider when we think about how to accomplish this goal: your everyday life, how to do it when your kids are challenging, and how to do it when you make mistakes.

[6:51] How everyday life and day-to-day activities play a huge role in your child’s lasting memory of you as well as to reinforce what your relationship will be like in the future.

[11:15] What should you do when your child acts out or the relationship becomes challenging?

[16:13] What to do when you make mistakes in the relationship with your children?

[19:09] So, in summary, how do I create a childhood for my kids that they’re going to remember as being good?

[20:38] The most important takeaway from today’s episode: We all can get a little too wrapped up in our own lives to realize the impact that our actions have on other people. So what I want you to do today is to take a moment to consider the potential future implications of some of your own actions and behavior patterns.

[22:00] Share this podcast with anybody you know for whom this might be useful. Also, be sure to screenshot this podcast and tag me on any social media to let me know what resonated with you the most.

[22:22] About Sophie and my upcoming IGNTD events and workshops.

Mentioned in this Episode:

IGNTD Recovery (Register and join the free workshop!)

TheAbstinenceMyth.com (Pay for shipping and I will send you the book for free!)

“A Look in the Mirror Neuron: Empathy and Addiction,” by Adi Jaffe Ph.D. (Article on Psychology Today)

Save Your Marriage Elite Circle

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