Changing Course: The Power of Reversing Parenting Decisions

In a world where parenting can feel like navigating a stormy sea, the wisdom of experienced professionals offers a guiding light.

In our recent podcast episode featuring Nicole Runyon, Psychotherapist and Parent Coach, we explored an aspect of parenting that aligns closely with our expertise in Change and Transformation: the ability to change direction and reverse decisions, particularly regarding children's use of technology and social media.

As specialists in Change and Transformation and parents to two wonderful children, we were keen to understand how we could better transfer our professional knowledge into our family life. What we discovered was both enlightening and empowering.

Embracing Change in Parenting

One of the most significant takeaways from our conversation with Nicole was the realisation that, in parenting, it's never too late to change course. This ability to pivot, to reassess and adjust our choices, is at the heart of effective parenting and mirrors the principles we apply in organisational change.

Changing direction or backtracking on a parenting decision isn't a sign of failure; rather it shows adaptability and commitment to your child's wellbeing. It's about recognising when something isn't working and having the courage to make a change, despite it being the harder option.

 The Process of Changing Course

So how do you go about changing a decision you’ve already made?  The process is a tried and tested approach, which when paired with a strong resolve, can really make an impact;

>        Awareness: Recognise when a current approach isn't serving your child's best interests.

>        Reflection: Consider the potential long-term impacts of continuing on the current path.

>        Decision: Choose to make a change, even if it means reversing a previous decision.

>        Communication: Discuss the changes with your children, explaining the reasons behind them.

>        Implementation: Put the new approach into action, being prepared for initial resistance.

>        Consistency: Maintain the new course, adjusting as needed but remaining committed to the change.

Overcoming Challenges

Changing direction, especially regarding technology use, will undoubtedly be met with resistance from children. It's crucial to approach this change with empathy, clear communication, and firm resolve. Remember, short-term discomfort often leads to long-term benefits.  Changing course in parenting also offers an opportunity to break negative cycles. By reassessing and adjusting our approach, we can create new, healthier patterns of interaction and decision-making within our families.

Conclusion: The Courage to Change

Effective parenting, like successful management, isn't about getting everything right the first time. It's about having the courage to recognise when something isn't working and the willingness to make changes. By applying principles of change and transformation to our parenting, we can create more positive, adaptable, and resilient family environments.

Remember, you don't have to keep doing the wrong thing. It's possible – and often necessary – to change direction, backtrack, or revert a decision if it's in the best interest of your children. While it may not be easy, the effort to make the right choice and achieve the right outcome is invaluable.

For more insights on this topic, you can listen to the full episode here, where Nicole shares her observations and discusses potential solutions to the challenges of modern parenting.