114: Perfection Culture in Parenthood & What to Do About It with Lindsay Adams

I don't know if you know this story yet. But if you have been with me from the beginning, then you probably know I have struggled with perfectionism and limiting beliefs, just like most of you. And this has affected how I parent. It was weighing me down and realized that if I continue to let this limiting belief and need for perfection drive the ship, it will take me away from my true goals for my children. One of my deepest hopes as a mom is that my kids will grow up knowing that they are lovable, worthy, and valued for who they are, not what they do. But this truth that I wanted to convey to my children, is not one I always embody myself, and kids learn by watching us just as much as they learn through their interactions with us. How could I hope to teach my kids something I didn't know how to do for myself? Sure, they would be safe and held and seen in my home, but eventually, they go out into the world and are exposed to cultural narratives of productivity and value and worth, and I want to be able to teach them how to walk in the world, a world that is beautiful yet hard to be in, with confidence and compassion for themselves and others.​ The way I see it, the hard work of addressing our limiting beliefs and releasing perfectionism is a crucial part of conscious parenting. And so for this week's episode on The Balanced Parent Podcast, I brought in a fellow podcaster, a mom, and a therapist, Lindsay Adams. She is a social worker and she hosts the Mindful as a Mother Podcast. ​ If you are struggling with perfectionism and looking for more support, follow Lindsay on Instagram @Linds_AdamsLCSW.