Raising Children with compassion, intention and purpose
In an age of ‘no cap,’ ‘skibidi,’ ‘nanoship,’ viral trends, and ChatGPT homework, the need for parents to raise their children with deep awareness has never been greater. Times were very different for Gen X (1965–1980), Millennials (1981–1996), and even early Gen Z (1997 onwards). While every generation experiences a gap with the next, the digital evolution has made that gap feel massive—and the challenges it brings remain largely unknown. So, what remains timeless and relevant in parenting? And what does conscious parenting really mean or look like? That’s what we’re here to explore.
One of the most important things parents must understand is that once you choose to become a parent, it’s a lifelong role. There are no sabbaticals or quitting. The question you need to ask yourself is: Am I truly prepared for this? Why do I want to be a parent? Am I emotionally ready—not just to bring a human being into this world, but to be there for them through all phases of their life? Parenting is not just a physical labor; it’s emotional, mental, and deeply spiritual work.
My name is Nawal M Hussain, and I am a Holistic Counselor, Coach, and Trainer—a blend of Mind Sciences, Spirituality, and Psychotherapy. I work with all four human bodies: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. None of these parts exist in isolation; the sooner we understand how they influence one another, the better we function both individually and in relationships. We move beyond simply going through the motions of life and begin truly living it. So, take a moment and ask yourself honestly: Am I physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually ready to give my child the love and care they deserve?
Being ready involves your physical health—you can’t be expected to chase after a two-year-old who just learned to run if you aren’t fit. Sitting for hours playing with your child is crucial for their cognitive development and self-esteem. Mental and emotional health matters even more. How will you nurture their curiosity and help solve their problems (even if they seem trivial to you) if you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or struggling to concentrate? If you feel depressed, impatient, or react harshly because you can’t handle criticism—and children, after all, have no filters—how will you respond to them? What if you don’t follow a faith, feel confused, or lack knowledge—will you then discourage their questions with “we don’t ask questions like that, just accept it”? How might that affect their ability to think independently, question, research, and create?
An unhealed or immature spiritual self can become a significant obstacle. Unless parents have done their own inner child work, trauma healing, or at least become aware of their personal triggers and wounds, conscious parenting is difficult to achieve.
Conscious parenting has two key parts. First, being aware of yourself—your behavior, your language—and understanding how these impact your child. Second, educating yourself about the unique needs at every stage of your child’s development, recognizing that some needs are universal while others are specific to your child. Remember, your children are mirrors: they imitate not only what you want them to but also what you don’t want them to because you are their very first and most influential ‘school of being.’
So here’s another vital question: Why am I bringing children into this world? If your answer isn’t close to something like:
“Because I’m excited to meet and learn about the unique abilities and personalities they bring—and what I can learn from them as I guide them through this world after their long journey here from the spirit realm,”
—or something similarly thoughtful—then it’s worth digging deeper. This is also at the heart of why generational gaps continue to widen, and how we might narrow them.
For now, I invite you to ask yourself these questions and answer honestly. Let’s see where that leads. And if you want to share your own questions or thoughts, feel free to reach out at breakthoseshacklesnow@gmail.com.
