What’s one thing you have changed your mind 180° this year?
Paul Battisson changes his mind about about 20 different times on the topic AI – on whether it’s useful or not! 🙄😁
In fact, he’s landed on the “It depends…” consultant-speak 😆
Just kidding!
Yes – this is a hot topic, and we should continue the conversation and stoke the embers of discussion and not allow inertia and the human tendency to “go where the flow takes us” and lead us to a destination we don’t really want to end up!
One thing I changed my mind on this year has to do with parenting. 😬
My twin sprogs turn 16 this year, and I have come to realise that my job as a parent needs to switch from protection to guidance – and allow them to make mistakes and experience the consequences of their actions and decisions. 😣
This is a hard pivot for me, and while I know that intellectually they need to learn this adulting skill – my instincts make it difficult to let go.
One unexpected person who has provided the best parenting advice for me this year has been Alexandra Klein. 🤗
She isn’t a parent herself (unless you count Éclair, her lovable donkey! 🫏) but she’s provided crucial insight when I was struggling with how best to support my kids while they were going through the stress of exams and coursework and bullying and toxic environment by sharing her experience.
As someone who understands neurodiversity and has embraced the world of the weird and quirky to become successful, she knows what it means to grow up in a world where you don’t quite fit the mould. ❤️
She also met Sprog 3, and their quiet conversation in Madrid on the way to lunch (yes I am lucky in that I can bring my kids to events and conferences with me!) helped her navigate a potentially tricky situation with a school bully (for which I am eternally grateful 💞)
Also Paul Ginsberg (who is also not a parent!) has been immensely helpful in opening my eyes to the world of neurodiversity and how weird and wonderful the brain can be in navigating the complicated world we live in (especially true for a young person growing up in this day and age!)
I also had the amazing Ciani Foulkes reach out to me after I talked about Sprog 3’s struggles with bullying during a session at #LonSFWit and she offered her support, as a mum who has experience of teenagers going through the turbulence of growing up.
I am SO lucky I have such amazing people in my network who care enough to support me, and help me be a better person and a better parent.
I’ve had many 180°s in my life, but this year has been one full of them turn-arounds especially when it came to parenting teens, where I’ve had to stamp down on instincts and cultural upbringing/programming.
To do better.
And to be better.
What’s been your 180° this year?