Understanding Parental Triggers: Insights from Dan Siegel's "Parenting from the Inside Out"
Understanding your own childhood experiences is key to becoming a more compassionate and effective parent. By reflecting on how your past shapes your reactions, you can break the cycle of repeating old patterns.
Why We Get Triggered
When our children act out, it can unconsciously remind us of our own childhood experiences. According to Dan Siegel's work on interpersonal neurobiology, these triggers often stem from unprocessed memories stored in our subconscious.
For example:
Tantrums might remind us of times when our own emotions were dismissed.
Clinginess might evoke feelings of abandonment we experienced.
Sibling rivalry might trigger memories of competition for attention.
Healing and Moving Forward
By acknowledging these triggers and working towards healing, we can create stronger, more empathetic connections with our children. Here’s how I can support you:
Embodied Processing: Helps access and process traumatic memories stored in the body.
Brainspotting: Identifies and processes trauma through specific eye positions linked to emotional experiences.
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): Improves social engagement and reduces stress by stimulating the vagus nerve.
Nervous System Education and Regulation Techniques: Provides education on the nervous system and specialised techniques to regulate emotional responses.
Conclusion
Parenting from the inside out means nurturing your own self-awareness and fostering strong, empathetic bonds with your children. This approach promotes healthy communication, trust, and emotional well-being for both you and your child. As a Peaceful Parent Coach, I’m here to support you on this journey.