No one told me that motherhood wasn’t just about raising children—it was about re-raising myself.

When I held my first child, I thought my journey would be about guiding, nurturing, and protecting. What I didn’t anticipate was how profoundly my children would become my greatest teachers, illuminating my unhealed parts and setting me on a path of spiritual transformation.

While parenting is often framed as selfless devotion, its deepest truth reveals itself as one of life’s most intense spiritual awakenings.

In becoming a mother, I unwittingly signed an invisible contract—not just to nurture my children, but to face my own unfinished business and untapped potential. Children have an extraordinary ability to reflect everything we’ve suppressed, denied, or forgotten about ourselves.

I remember one moment early in my parenting journey: my child threw a tantrum in the middle of a grocery store. Embarrassment and frustration flooded me, but beneath those feelings lay a deeper truth. In my child’s raw, unfiltered expression of anger, I saw a reflection of my own long-silenced emotions. It was humbling—and enlightening. I realized that while I was helping my child grow, they were guiding me toward my own growth.

What we don’t realize is that as our children grow, we often regress. Their milestones—first steps, first heartbreaks, first moments of independence—can trigger memories of our own childhood, reopening wounds we thought were healed or unearthing ones we didn’t know existed. This isn’t a failure of parenting; it’s a design.

For me, this regression became a path back to wholeness. Rather than resisting it, I began to see these struggles as opportunities for healing. In time, I developed a framework to better understand both my needs and my children’s. Inspired by the Indian chakra system and yoga philosophy, I mapped the intricate interplay between body, mind, and spirit in the parent-child relationship.

This perspective changed everything. Parenting challenges no longer felt like obstacles but invitations to evolve.

One of the most profound shifts came when I began to see my children not as little beings I was shaping but as souls on their own unique journeys. They weren’t here to fulfill my expectations or validate my worth as a parent; they were here to live their truths. My role was to honor and support that.

There were countless moments when I wanted to smooth their path—fix their problems, provide quick solutions. But instead of reacting, I learned to pause and ask myself: What is their soul trying to teach me? That question transformed my approach.

By giving my children space to feel, express, and navigate their challenges, I honored their authenticity. In doing so, I deepened my understanding of trust, patience, and the sacred bond between us.

Motherhood has taught me that parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about showing up—not just for your children, but for yourself. It’s about confronting your shadows, embracing your vulnerabilities, and expanding your heart in unimaginable ways.

When I look at my children now and reflect on those early days of mothering, I am grateful. Grateful to have seen them not just as my children but as mirrors, guides, and brave souls navigating their own paths.

In walking alongside them, I have discovered the deepest truths of my own soul.

So, the next time you’re in the thick of it—whether it’s during a tantrum or a tough conversation, ask yourself: What is this moment supporting me to learn about my soul? What are my children teaching me? Because within the chaos lies the wonder of motherhood’s soul journey.

What has motherhood (or parenthood) taught you about yourself?

~