Family Narratives – Are We Trying to Make the Story Stick?

As parents, we often create narratives around our children’s behaviors to explain their preferences and challenges. But what if these narratives are masking something deeper?

One mum shared with me that her 7-year-old daughter disliked walking on stony ground and wasn’t interested in physical activities. She also hadn’t mastered riding a two-wheeled bicycle. Instead, she excelled academically and loved reading books at night. The family explained this as “just like the Murray side of the family,” who were not into sports.

However, when I heard this, my curiosity was piqued. This little girl used two pillows to prop herself up while reading and sleeping. Could it be that she wasn’t just disinterested in physical activity but actually didn’t feel safe and balanced in her body?

A child's early imprints—formed in the womb, during birth, and in the critical first 1,000 days—shape their nervous system regulation. When children struggle with coordination, balance, or body awareness, it’s often a sign that their developmental blueprint needs support. These early experiences can create unconscious patterns that influence their confidence and abilities.

For this bright and intelligent girl, the “I can do this” chip was missing. She wasn’t simply avoiding physical activities—her nervous system hadn’t yet integrated the foundation needed for movement confidence. And without realizing it, the family narrative reinforced a belief of "I’m just not good at this," making it even harder for her to overcome the challenge.

Reframing the Narrative with Baby Body Language

As a holistic practitioner with 37 years of experience in Baby Body Language, I help parents recognize the deeper physical and emotional cues their children express. Instead of attributing behaviors to family traits, I invite you to be curious. Ask yourself:

🔹 What is my child’s body telling me?
🔹 Is there a pattern in their movements or postures?
🔹 How might their early experiences be shaping their current responses?

By shifting from explanation to exploration, we can better support our children in feeling safe, balanced, and capable in their own bodies.

Curiosity, awareness, and understanding Baby Body Language can transform the way we interpret our children’s behaviors.

Want to learn more? Read the full blog here: www.wholesomelyconnected.com