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By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
While it may seem farfetched to some people,
many of my clients remember what they felt and experienced while still in the
womb. Comments such as these are not unusual:
"I knew even before I was born that my mother didn't want me."
"I could feel my mother's fear and anxiety even before I was born."
| "Good parenting starts
before getting pregnant, with learning how to take loving care of yourself." |
Parenting does not start once the child is born. Good parenting starts even
before getting pregnant. It starts by caring about what you eat, how much
exercise and sleep you get, and by making sure that you are taking
responsibility for your feelings of anxiety and stress. Your baby will feel what
you feel, so learning how to be in peace and joy before getting pregnant is part
of good parenting.
I loved being pregnant. I had always wanted children so I was thrilled to be
pregnant. I loved feeling the baby moving within me, awed by the very fact of
creating new life. I loved feeling an elbow or a knee slide across my stomach. I
loved that my body could be a receptacle for bringing through this soul, this
angel from heaven. I could not think of anything more profound, more worth
doing. Who was this unique little person growing in my body?
I read every book I could on parenting and thought endlessly how I wanted to be
a different parent than my parents were.
The problem was that I have never thought about how much my relationship with
myself and with my husband might affect this child.
My husband was angry, distant and withdrawn during my pregnancy and the first
three months after giving birth to our son. He was a person who wanted control
and he was not happy that I got pregnant six months before we had planned. He
didn't open his heart until our son smiled at him at three months of age.
Being young, I had no idea how to handle the loneliness I felt at not having my
husband joyfully involved in the hugest event of my life. Had I known then what
I know now, I would have done anything I could to get the help we needed to
bring our relationship back into caring. We can't go back, but I'm sure that my
son felt the lack of joy that existed between my husband and me. I'm sure he
felt the depth of my loneliness. I wish I knew then what I know now about taking
responsibility for my own feelings.
 Being pregnant and giving birth are enormous events in a woman's life,
especially the first child, which changes your life so dramatically. If you do
not know how to take responsibility for your own feelings of anger, hurt,
anxiety, depression and loneliness, things will only get worse after giving
birth. A child does not solve problems for you.
It's hard to imagine before having a child what it is like to be responsible for
another life 24/7. If you have not learned how to lovingly parent yourself
before giving birth, you might find yourself getting lost as parent your baby.
Good parenting starts before getting pregnant, with learning how to take loving
care of yourself.
If you have a desire to be a good parent, here are steps you can take before
getting pregnant:
1. Physical health: make sure that you are in good physical shape by eliminating
sugar and artificial sweeteners. Start to shop in health food stores and buy
only organic products. Eliminating pesticides and food additives is essential
for good health. Also be sure to get enough exercise and sleep.
2. Emotional health: instead of having your eyes on your partner, turn your eyes
inward and begin to compassionately notice your own feelings. Start to treat
your own feelings in the same way you are planning on treating your future
child's feelings - with caring and understanding. In addition, start to practice
taking loving action in your own behalf - standing up for yourself, speaking
your truth, taking time for yourself. Practice taking loving care of your own
feelings instead of making your partner responsible for how you feel. Begin to
notice what you think and do that may be causing you stress. Changing thoughts
and behavior that cause your stress before getting pregnant is essential for
good parenting.
3. Spiritual health: practice opening to a higher source of guidance, wisdom,
strength and comfort. This can be your own highest, wisest self within you, or a
Higher Power outside of you. You will find that being able to turn a source of
wisdom and comfort within or without will go a long way in helping you stay
loving and stress-free with yourself, your partner, and your baby. In addition,
this will help you know what to do in different challenging situations with your
baby.
If you are planning on having a baby, start today in becoming a good parent!
© 2004 by Margaret Paul
About the Author:
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of
eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By
You?", "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By My Kids?",
"Healing Your Aloneness", "Inner Bonding", and "Do I Have To
Give Up Me To Be Loved By God?" Visit her web site for a FREE
Inner Bonding course:
http://www.innerbonding.com or margaret@innerbonding.com
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