Today’s theme on World Childless Week are the insensitive comments that people can made based around the belief that parents have more empathy.
Well I only have one thing to say about that ….
COMPLETE AND UTTER BOLLOCKS
OK so that’s four things: however, you get my drift!
The presence of empathy has absolutely nothing to do with having children. In fact, I think having children often has the opposite effect. Parents can be some of the least empathic people on the planet.
This is NOT their fault
Parents are biologically programmed to protect their children. This means that they put the needs of their children above the needs of ANYONE else. Making someone else that much of a priority means that they become blinkered to the needs of other people.
Don’t believe me?
Consider how many strong marriages/relationships begin to show cracks under the strain of raising children. If having children increases your level of empathy than it stands to reason that all parents would have rock solid relationships with their partners.
Na!
Now I’ve put the link between parenting status and empathy into perspective let’s look at what empathy REALLY means. In terms of the empathy between parents and the CNBC this has some major implications.
Final thoughts on empathy
Creating A New, Beautiful And Courageous Existence involves protecting important relationships. This is vital when you are moving forward and implementing changes in your live when perhaps those around you are not.
Helping them to deal with the changes in your life requires empathy and keeping the paths of communication open. If you haven’t already watched the videos we recorded for yesterday’s blog when I share two coaching exercises for improving relationships, you can watch them here.
You may also find this article sharing Eight Ways To Improve Your Empathy useful.
Are you ready to CANBACE?
Have you got to the stage of wanting to change your story?
Are you are feeling anxious about taking those first steps?
Would you like a gentle introduction to ease you into the process?
If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, then please check out Sunday’s blog when I will be sharing details about a new way to start moving forward with CANBACE.
If anything I have written resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. I appreciate that this can be a difficult subject to speak openly about. If you don’t want me to publish your comment on the website, simply include “NOT FOR PUBLICATION” in your comment and I will keep your words private.
In Canbace friendship
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