A Second Life Rebooted: Children Made Me a Better Version of Myself—A Parenting Diary of Bittersweet Joys from a Counselor and Mom

A child is a child, and you are you; they are an independent individual. In the university of "Life," you and your child will always be "alumni."

Being good to your child is out of love, not in hope of a future return. Irrigate your child's growth with love, and never consider yourself to be "sacrificing."

When your child was babbling, did you listen patiently? Is telling a son that "men don't cry" actually a form of verbal violence? Many scenes that adults take for granted reveal a completely different world through the eyes of a child! Teaching a child how to avoid risk doesn't guarantee safety; what matters more is knowing what to do when facing danger. Children always have "a hundred thousand whys"; how should parents answer the frustrating yet hilarious questions of their little ones?

So-called "correct" parenting methods used by adults are often self-righteous mistakes. On the road of parenting, we are all constantly learning...

Psychological counselor Li Li shares a bittersweet parenting diary, leading new parents to explore the inner world of children, build bridges for parent-child communication, and grow alongside their children!

◤ Children Make Me a Better Version of Myself ◢

▍The Disobedient Child

"My child won't listen to me" seems to be a common worry for many parents. Small tasks require constant nagging, and nothing gets done until everyone is unhappy. But—why "must" a child listen to you?

▍Is the Child Stingy, or Are You Saving Face?

A boy saved his allowance for a long time to buy a toy truck, only for his father to turn around and give it to a younger cousin. Even though the adult gave the boy money to buy a new toy, he still resented the cousin's family and couldn't let it go for a long time...

◤ Where Is Dad? Good Teammate or Liability? New Man or Mama's Boy? ◢

▍Mother-in-Law Conflicts

A mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are not biological mother and daughter; conflicts big and small are inevitable. At this time, as the son and the husband, your responsibility is immense! Do it well, and you're a "model husband"; do it poorly, and you're stuck in the middle. When the couple returns from work and the mother-in-law only tells the wife to do chores, what should you do? When the wife spends her own money shopping and the mother-in-law complains, what should you do?

▍Go Find Your Mother

"Why are men so irresponsible? I'm the one who gave birth and the one who cares for the baby; my husband knows nothing!" Such words are common among mom groups. Are men naturally incapable of taking care of children? Of course not! Often, it is the mother who unintentionally deprives the father of his parenting enthusiasm.

◤ Unavoidable Children's "Sex" Education ◢

"Daddy! Show me your penis!"

A daughter in kindergarten suddenly makes such a request. Oh my god! As a parent, how should you respond? "Mommy! Why are your breasts so big?" Still brushing them off with "You're too young, you'll know when you grow up"? If curiosity isn't managed, they might develop voyeurism or even become sex offenders when they grow up. But if you teach them like a textbook, will they understand? Will they say the wrong things in public? Actually, you just need to play a little game with them...

★ Book Features

This book describes the author's post-partum life changes and adaptation issues: including postpartum depression, the dilemma between work and children, mother-in-law issues, and the role transition of a new mother... It also shares the life content and psychological characteristics of toddlers. Through the daily lives of these new mothers, one can perceive the immature parts of one's own mind from subtle events: children can also teach us many things; they can be our best spiritual mentors.