Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be

by Becky Kennedy

Let’s do this together. Place your feet on the ground, place your hand on your heart, and say this aloud with me: “Yes, I’ve done lots of things I wish I hadn’t. I’ve behaved in ways I’m not proud of. Those are all things I did. That’s not who I am. This difference doesn’t let me off the hook; this difference leaves me on the hook, because it is the only way I can hold myself accountable to make changes. I am a good person who has done not-so-good things. I am still a good person. I am good inside, I have always been good inside, I will remain good inside.” Allow yourself to take in these words. So many of us have developed enough self-beliefs about not being good enough that telling ourselves that we are good inside, even when we struggle or act out, is, well . . . radical.