Perfectionism is fear. Fear of being unlovable, incapable, disapproved of, or “defective.” Our pep talks aren’t always enough to dissolve this fear — in our child or in ourselves. Motherhood can kick up our own perfectionist tendencies. These fears ARE normal, but they don’t have to run the show for you OR your child. Laughter & play can help refuel a sense of confidence, especially when learning something new.
![Using play to work through your child's perfectionism: how play can lighten the fear and tension that come with learning something new](https://raisingyouandme.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29561/2023/03/Play-for-perfectionism-blog-featured-image-1.png)
![Mixed emotions about pregnancy: a tool for coping with conflicting feelings during pregnancy and postpartum](https://raisingyouandme.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29561/2023/02/RYAM-Blog-Featured-Images-2-1.png)
After a long struggle to conceive, it caught me by surprise when it finally happened. As family and friends celebrated, I felt a confusing mix of fear and anxiety with excitement and gratitude. I couldn’t bring myself to admit my mixed emotions, so I turned to a tool called Listening Partnership. This safe space lifted my tension so I could enjoy this pregnancy in a way I wasn’t able to the first time around.