The Awakened Family: How to Raise Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children

As a relationship therapist and parent, I can say that this is the absolute best and most important parenting book there is. Dr. Shefali boldly accomplishes what no other parenting book has been able to fully achieve. She addresses the many challenges that parents experience with their children--at the causal level. She gets to the root of problems. The author shows us that our children are never triggering us. Conversely, what is getting triggered are our past wounds. That in every moment there is always a choice to react or respond. When we move into reactivity, this is about our own hurt and fear. Dr. Shefali masterfully helps us see that our children are here to show us where we need to grow. She says children are our "awakeners." In the excerpt below, the author explains the parent-child dynamic:"Our children are particularly effective mirrors, because although we can divorce our spouse and abandon our friends, our children are here to stay. It's in our relationship with them more than any other that we are challenged to examine those aspects of ourselves we would ordinarily deny or avoid. When we are able to look into the mirror they provide us with and address our issues, we not only clear the fog form our own vision, but also begin to see our children for who they truly are. In this way, we become a reflection of their authentic self."We are asked to consider questions like, "`Is my child in some way reflecting the way I tend to operate?'" With numerous examples, we are shown that the cost of addressing behavioral problems at the effect level is increased negative behavior. Through the author's profound insights and plethora of real-life examples, it becomes clear that our own fear, which stems from past conditionings, paralyzes us by keeping us from knowing how to connect with our children. That real change can only happen when we have heightened awareness or become conscious of our own behavioral patterns. This means noticing our thoughts and feelings and exploring our belief systems. When reading this book, you feel like the author takes you on an intimate journey of awakenings and opens your heart to a whole new way of seeing your essential role as a parent. The authors ideas are truly revolutionary and liberating. You are able to see and experience a real path to having stronger, deeper connections in all your relationships.In The Awakened Family, the author explains that we need to give up our expectations of how we would like things to be and to accept whatever enters the present moment. In the following passage, the author helps us to understand what acceptance means:"Acceptance of the present moment doesn't mean you are passive or resigned to things. It simply means that the sting of the emotional charge is taken out of the situation. Sure, you can correct your child and even assertively create boundaries if these are needed, but the entire exchange is executed without adding in the emotional charge of fear, panic, shame, or guilt."We are able to see that only when we learn how to "be" can we know what doing action, if any, is needed.Dr. Shefali so eloquently explains our responsibility as parents when she says, "It's our sacred responsibility as parents to remember that within every child is a deep desire to be seen, heard, and understood. Indeed, a child's deepest yearning is to know the answer to the question, "`Am I good, am I okay, am I worthy?'" When we are willing to open our heart to the author's message, we can only experience its resounding truth.Conscious parenting has personally transformed me and the way I parent my son. This is not a quick-fix philosophy; it is a way of living, finding more peace and joy in your life.Every parent, therapist, parenting coach, and educator should read this book and keep it close by for reference. With the brilliant insights that Dr. Shefali provides in her latest book, we can all become more awakened and join a growing consciousness that has the power to heal our world.

“The Awakened Family: How to Raise Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children” is an absolute gem of a book that deserves nothing less than a 5-star rating. This insightful guide by Dr. Shefali provides a wealth of knowledge and practical wisdom for parents who aspire to raise empowered, resilient, and conscious children.From the moment I started reading, I was captivated by the author’s compassionate and empowering approach to parenting. The book delves deep into understanding the needs of children and provides valuable guidance on fostering healthy connections, nurturing emotional intelligence, and cultivating a conscious mindset. The author’s expertise shines through, offering a refreshing perspective that resonates with both new and experienced parents alike.One of the standout qualities of this book is its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The author not only shares compelling research and insights but also provides practical tools and exercises to implement in daily life. These actionable strategies have been invaluable in helping me develop a more conscious and nurturing parenting style. The book empowers parents with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate various challenges and create an environment where their children can thrive.Furthermore, “The Awakened Family” tackles important topics such as effective communication, setting boundaries, and fostering resilience in children. It tackles these subjects with clarity and sensitivity, guiding parents through difficult conversations and offering solutions that prioritize emotional well-being and growth.In conclusion, “The Awakened Family: How to Raise Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children” is a must-read for any parent seeking to create a nurturing and empowering environment for their children. This 5-star book is packed with invaluable insights, practical advice, and a compassionate approach that will positively transform your parenting journey. I wholeheartedly recommend it to parents who wish to raise resilient, empowered, and conscious children.

I love the perspective of this book. A lot of times we, as parents, look at the child's behavior as the problem and go in search of a fix for them. They must be the problem... we'll just find the solution. This shift in perspective shows how we are all affected by patterns and conditioning throughout our human experience (in childhood and beyond) that affects how we are triggered by behaviors or events. And if we can start with ourselves and work from inward to outward, we have a much better success rate of change the dynamics with our kids and in our homes.When we focus on purely trying to change someone else's behaviors, not only are we not addressing the root of the triggering, but our children do not feel the empathy and understanding they may be needing from us to work through life's challenges.Don't be turned off... the point of the book is not that it's all the parent's fault and the kids need coddling. Not at all. But is a important paradigm shift that looks at the big picture in the dynamics of our relationship with our kids and within our families, and how we are all just humans coming from our own place of conditioning, fears, desire for acceptance, etc.

Yes, the writing is a bit forced at times, especially the recreated dialogues with the parents/patients (who really talks like that?!) BUT if one is capable to see beyond the delivery, the message is truly revolutionary for your relationship with yourself and your kids. Not particularly useful for toddlers, but lays a good foundation for awakened living/parenting. This is a must read for any caregiver.

Absolutely LOVE this book for those learning to parent through cooperation, kindness and security.

great book

Recommended to any parent och anyone planning to be a parent.

Highly recommend

Good or bad... i dont exactly know, in the first few pages i was constantly reminded that all whats going wrong with me and my child is coz of what wrong happened with me in the past and now i am putting all of that burden on her... fine- i thought at least m aware now and can work on that... but a few more pages and still the same, a few more and still the same... m feeling so guilty now, but clueless to what exactly i should do to improve the situation... at this point i feel almost depressed about the hell of a situation i have made for my daughter but dont know how to come out of the mentioned past... stopped reading coz if its the same thing even further, with more intensity of how wrong i am... i cant take it further... i was aware that there’s a lot i have to work on as a parent, but now i feel i have gone so far that theres no return...