A mindset shift for parents: The closest thing to magic. This week, I had a series of conversations I can’t stop thinking about. More than once, I found myself saying, “I wish I had a magic wand.”
But the truth is, there is something remarkably close to magic that every parent already has: your mindset.
A mindset shift for parents isn’t just helpful—it’s often the most powerful tool we have.
Here’s why.
One client shared his frustration with himself:
When Negativity Takes Over
“I just can’t stop thinking negatively. I’m always expecting the worst.”
A mom told me through tears how unfair it felt that her daughter wasn’t getting the “normal” teenage experience she imagined. She felt stuck in a cycle of resentment, sadness, and anxiety.
I’ve been there too.
I know the feeling of going down the rabbit hole of negativity—when it seems impossible to find even one thing to be grateful for, and even harder to believe that anything will ever change.
Sometimes, I almost wish I could hand out something more magical:
A quick fix. A perfect solution. A tidy set of instructions for exactly how to feel better, right now.
The Truth About Mindset
But the truth is, the closest thing to magic I’ve ever witnessed is our mindset. After we discuss all of these key points, my clients are comforted and we set up a plan to try a mindset shift for them as parents.
I have seen it transform families, relationships, and self-worth in ways that no treatment plan or checklist ever could.
Real Stories of Resilience
One client—who survived poverty and abuse—paused when I asked her what she was grateful for. Her eyes filled with tears as she slowly listed everything she’s built:
✨ Three healthy kids.
✨ A thriving career in health care.
✨ A father who would do anything for her.
Another mom realized that while she can’t erase her daughter’s pain, she can be her anchor—her example of resilience, stability, and the unconditional love that holds it all together.
This doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine.
And it doesn’t mean dismissing or sugarcoating the hard parts of life. It means practicing a simple but profound discipline—over and over again
Three Practices to Start Today
🌿 When you notice a negative thought, replace it with three positives. Even if you don’t fully believe them yet, naming them starts to build a new mental habit.
🌿 Move your body to help anxiety move through you. Take a walk, garden, stretch, or do something tactile with your hands. Physical motion signals to your nervous system that you are not stuck.
🌿 Practice mindfulness, so you can see your thoughts without being ruled by them. Even just pausing to say, “I am noticing that I feel overwhelmed,” creates space between you and the feeling. I love the findings from this research on mindfulness and its impact on our emotions.
These are not easy shifts. They can feel awkward and artificial at first. You may wonder if they’re even working.
But over time, they create new pathways in your brain—pathways that make hope possible. There is scientific evidence supporting this (there are so many studies on this topic)
These mindset shifts don’t erase pain, but they make it more bearable. They don’t guarantee a smooth road, but may make you more resilient when the road is bumpy.
Why This Work Matters for Your Family
Positive emotions change the way our minds and our bodies work—change the very nature of who we are, down to our cells—transforming our outlook on life and our ability to confront challenges.
—Barbara Fredrickson
If you’re a parent, I want you to know this:
Our kids are watching how we respond to stress, disappointment, and uncertainty. They are learning from us how to self-regulate, how to find perspective, and how to begin again after a setback.
I believe our children will grow up stronger not only in spite of their challenges, but because of them.
And so will we.
If you’re feeling stuck right now—if you’re tired of feeling like everything is out of your control—know that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Mindset work and coaching can give you tools to meet the hardest seasons with more clarity, calm, and self-compassion.
If you’re curious about how this could look for you, I’d love to talk.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Reply to this email or click below to schedule a free consultation. No pressure, just a conversation about what’s possible.
👉 Schedule a Free Consultation
You deserve support. You deserve to feel in control of your thinking. You deserve to remember your own strength.
I’m here when you’re ready. In the mean time, check out my website here.
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