Even when given the best of examples, knowledge and support, parenting is a huge challenge. For those who don’t have those resources, it’s even more difficult.
Rachel Gunn — founder and CEO of Seeds of Impact, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing education and support to parents — is actively working to help.
“We partner with local nonprofits, schools and churches to support parents who, due to generational patterns and a lack of resources, often repeat the same unhealthy parenting techniques they experienced as children,” Gunn said.
“By introducing new parenting concepts, we empower them to make positive changes. Our goal is to provide a supportive system that helps parents develop healthy habits and transform their approach to parenting, ultimately shifting the trajectory of future generations.”
Lessons from parenting mistakes
Seeds of Impact was a result of Gunn’s own need to learn how to parent.
In 2011, she began teaching parenting classes at Birmingham’s Lovelady Center, a ministry dedicated to helping women who had been incarcerated get back on their feet.
Over time, she added topics to her classes. She realized they needed the content in written form so they could concentrate on discussions instead of taking notes, so Gunn decided to write “Impact Parenting: Principles for Cultivating a Healthy Home.”
“I often joke that God put me here to share my mistakes so other women could be encouraged,” she said. “It sounds like a tough life, but He’s also given me the ability to pick myself up and move on when I mess up. As a parent, I have had to do that a lot!
“Throughout my parenting journey, I learned that so many parents feel the way I did — unqualified and alone. After the first year (of teaching), I realized that a book would be a helpful resource for not only these moms, but for any parent who is struggling,” she said.
Principles
Gunn’s goal was to provide principles on how to parent along with the confidence for applying the principles. “Impact Parenting” can be used as a personal resource or as a group study.
“My hope is that it will foster conversations among parents, allowing them to share their experiences with each other,” she continued. “I would love to see this book bring parents together to share their experiences and encourage each other, building communities where they can support each other.”
This is Gunn’s first time writing a book. Though that came naturally for her as an extension of her teaching, getting it published was different.
Like the bravery it takes for the women she teaches to start over in life, it took a lot of courage for Gunn to get the book published since she doesn’t like “putting herself out there for everyone to see.”
It was the encouragement from her own support system — friends, family and church — that made it possible.
Although writing was natural for Gunn, it wasn’t easy. She had to make time to write in between parenting her own children, teaching parenting classes and starting Seeds of Impact.
“So many times, I just felt like it was pointless. But God was so faithful. There was always encouragement when I needed it,” she said.
This process taught Gunn another need parents have — resilience.
“Resilience, I’ve found, is not just about bouncing back. It’s about staying committed to a goal even when it feels difficult. I realized that much like the journey parents go through when raising children, writing a book comes with its share of challenges, setbacks and moments of doubt.
“There were times when I questioned whether I had the right words or if I could capture the impact I wanted, but I learned to push through those moments and keep moving forward,” Gunn shared.
Now that the book is finished, Gunn is excited about the response she’s been getting. Although it was only recently released, she already has many “lining up to buy it.”
Learning
But the most fun feedback isn’t from the moms.
“Like most parents, I mess up a lot. The fun part is that my children have been known to quote myself back to me when I do!”
Through this process, Gunn has learned a lot about parenting and a lot about herself. But she has learned even more about God.
“God is faithful in all things. I cannot tell you how many times He has met me in the depths of my frustration and comforted me. When He opened this door He provided everything I needed, even at times when I didn’t know what I needed.
“From people who read and give me feedback to friends who volunteered to lead small groups, helping me to shape the book and contents — He was always faithful to meet my needs throughout this process.”
Go to www.SeedsofImpact.org to find out more about the ministry or their annual Impact Road Race, held this year on Oct. 5.
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