Introduction: The Intersection of Baking and Parenting Wisdom

Hello, my lovelies, and Merry almost Christmas! I’m Mary Peterson Cook, a parenting and homeschooling coach and consultant dedicated to helping you break generational traumas and parent from a place of connection. Today, I want to share with you an interesting parallel between my current ADHD hyperfocus with fresh milled grains and our journeys in parenting and homeschooling.

The Experimentation Process: Baking and Parenting

Just like my adventures in attempting to bake the perfect loaf of bread, parenting and homeschooling are about experimenting, failing sometimes (maybe miserably), but persistently trying and testing new things. I’m on my third loaf in two days, and though I’ve faced challenges, it’s a journey of learning, much like parenting.

The Overwhelm of Information: Starting Small

In both baking and parenting, the amount of information available can be overwhelming. My advice? Start small. In baking, I began with just a few types of grains, similar to how you might approach learning about homeschooling or connected parenting. It’s about focusing on a few key areas rather than trying to absorb everything at once.

Reflecting on Your Journey: Finding What Works

Reflection is key. Whether it’s in baking or parenting, contemplate the most challenging parts of your day or process. Identify what you struggle with the most, and then find a way to address it. In baking, it’s perfecting that loaf of bread; in parenting, it could be managing bedtime routines or navigating challenging behaviors.

Scripts and Strategies: Simplifying the Process

If you’re overwhelmed by different parenting strategies or scripts, start with just one. Focus on how you want to handle situations and build from there. It’s about setting realistic goals and adapting your approach based on your child’s needs and your unique family dynamics.

Parenting from Connection: The Core of Your Approach

The heart of effective parenting is starting from a place of connection. This might mean adjusting your schedule or routine to be more present and engaged with your children, especially during challenging moments like bedtime or mealtime.

Embracing Mistakes: A Part of the Learning Process

Mistakes are inevitable in both baking and parenting. They’re not failures but opportunities to learn and grow. It’s about failing upwards, understanding what didn’t work, and adjusting your approach next time.

Avoiding the Shame Spiral: Focusing on Progress

It’s essential to avoid falling into a shame spiral when you realize that your past methods weren’t ideal. Acknowledge it, apologize if needed, and focus on doing better moving forward. This applies to both parenting choices and baking experiments.

The Unpredictable Variables: Adapting to Each Situation

Every situation in parenting and baking is different, filled with its own set of variables. It’s about finding what works for each unique set of circumstances, whether it’s adjusting a bread recipe to the humidity or tailoring your parenting approach to a specific challenge.

Resources for Your Journey

• 60 Second Sanity Savers: A fantastic tool to quickly calm your nervous system quickly! https://marypetersoncook.com/60s-sanity-savers/
• Parenting from Connection Inner Circle Membership: A comprehensive community membership with lessons, resources, and support for your parenting journey. https://marypetersoncook.com/pfc-innercircle

Conclusion: Holiday Reflections and Moving Forward

As we celebrate the holiday season, let’s embrace the lessons from our everyday experiences, like baking, and apply them to our parenting. It’s about finding joy in the process and growing alongside our children.

Remember, every mistake is a chance for learning, and every effort counts. Let’s continue this conversation in the comments: share your experiences and how you balance different interests during the holiday season.