Parenting Begins Before Conception

Greetings! Have you ever considered that parenting actually begins before conception? That's right! Before the unfertilized egg is even fertilized, parents should begin the parenting process. Whoa, GrandmaNina - how is that accomplished? Now, before you begin to think that this blog message is not for you for various reasons, please give me a few more minutes of your time. Who knows, maybe someone in your sphere of influence might benefit from this information: children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, friends, mentees, and others. On that note, let's keep the thoughts flowing😇. As I was saying, the wellbeing of your child begins before conception. The spirit, soul, and body balance of your yet to be conceived child is affected by the state of your spirit, soul, and body. That means that your parenting strategy should begin as soon as you realize that you want to become a parent someday. It's a different mindset when you realize that one day you'll be responsible for the life of another human being. That's a sobering thought, isn't it? As you think, so are you😇. Wow, now that ought to give you pause for thought. So, what's a man or woman to do?

The first step is to consider the state of your spirit. What do you believe? What is your philosophy as it relates to life? What are your thoughts about your own childhood? What are your thoughts about how you were raised? Do you pray for guidance? Are you a loving person? Are you at peace? Remember, this is a holistic process. It requires some deep work to get to the root of who you are in this life. Again, as you think, so are you - and you are going to have a major influence over your child. You need to receive your healing, so that you don't cause wounds - hurt people, hurt people - healed people, heal. We want you whole, so that you can lead your child to wholeness. You need to discover your strengths and weaknesses by the Spirit of God, so that you can see the same in your child. In other words, you need to know your purpose to help someone in their purpose.

The next step is to deal with your soul. Your soul is comprised of your mind, will, and emotions. Your mind allows you to be aware of your experiences. Do you think about your life, or do you just go through the motions? "Cogito ergo sum" - "I think, therefore, I am". ~ Rene' Descartes. How self disciplined are you? Self discipline is defined as the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.  Parenting requires surrendering to TRUTH. What level is your emotional intelligence? Emotions are powerful affective states of consciousness. When your emotional state is healthy, you use the information gleaned from your feelings to guide your thinking and behavior. See, it's all connected😇.

The last step for this blog is to evaluate your level of overall health, as well as the health and wellbeing of your child. Yes, I'm talking about the condition your body is in before conception. It really makes a difference in the health of your child. Do you exercise? Do you get enough sleep? Do you eat healthy, including generous amounts of fruits and vegetables? Do you drink adequate amounts of water? Do you supplement to cover deficits in food quality? Do you avoid products loaded with chemicals? Have you researched or learned about herbs and superfoods for optimum health?

Also, what are your plans regarding childhood vaccines? Do you plan to breastfeed? Do you have a plan for your child's healthy eating schedule? Will you need childcare? How about education? Where will your family attend church? How are your finances?

These are just a few things to consider before conception. However, even if your family is not planned in advance, it's never too late to change. You're just a thought away from a new beginning. Start right where you are with what you have, and you'll be there at the appointed time. God loves you ALWAYS😇.

Have you interviewed and selected a spiritual doula to support you during your pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum stages?

Thank you for reading and sharing this blog. Please provide your email address, so that we stay connected. ~ lifestylemusingswithgrandmanina