One of the most counterintuitive truths about understanding child development: the struggle against it often makes it worse. Acceptance — clearly misunderstood — is one of the most powerful tools available.
What Acceptance of Understanding Child Development Actually Means
Acceptance does NOT mean:
- Liking or approving of understanding child development
- Giving up on getting better
- Thinking understanding child development is okay
Acceptance DOES mean:
- Acknowledging understanding child development without adding unnecessary struggle against the fact of its existence
- Allowing understanding child development to be present without fighting it into bigger problems
- Making room for understanding child development while still living your values
The ACT Approach to Understanding Child Development
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses acceptance as a core tool: instead of fighting understanding child development, you learn to make room for it while committing to valued action regardless.
The Paradox of Accepting Understanding Child Development
Many people find that when they stop fighting understanding child development and simply allow it, it loses intensity. The suffering of understanding child development is partly the struggle against it.