Because our children are so moldable, we often ignore the invitation to mold ourselves into our children's spiritual partner. However, by paying attention to the one who is, for all apparent purposes, in our control, we have an opportunity to release ourselves from all need to be in control. By providing us with a way to shed the eggshell of our ego and step into the freedom that living in our truer state of being allows, our children facilitate our evolution. We find ourselves exposed to the truly transformative potential of the parenting journey. With the myth that the relationship between parent and child should be unidirectional shattered, the circular potential of this journey comes into view, as we discover that our children contribute to our growth in ways that are perhaps more profound than we can ever contribute to theirs. Although a child appears in a "lesser than" form, susceptible to the whims and dictates of a more powerful parent, it's precisely the child's seemingly less-powerful status that has the potential to call forth the greatest transformation in a parent. Viewing parenthood as a process of spiritual metamorphosis allows us to create the psychic space to invite the lessons of this journey in. As a parent, to the degree you are able to recognize that your children are in your life to foster a renewed sense of who you are, you will discover their potential to lead you to the discovery of your own true being.

Shefali Tsabary