@Amy Garcia 💛 Wow — thank you so much for your honesty and openness in sharing this. You put words to what so many parents feel but rarely say out loud. Healing while parenting is truly one of the hardest, bravest things a person can do — because it means you’re breaking patterns and building new ones at the same time. That’s double the work, and your brain and nervous system feel it. Here’s the good news (and the brain science!): Every single time you notice, reflect, and repair — you’re actually rewiring your brain’s pathways. Awareness is the first step to neuroplasticity — your brain’s ability to change. When you pause after a tough moment, even if it’s later that night, and you think, “I wish I’d handled that differently,” your brain is already starting to lay down a new track for next time. That’s how growth happens. And as for your daughter — she’s not “messed up.” She’s learning, through you, what it means to be human, to make mistakes, to repair, and to keep showing up. The most powerful lesson we can give our kids isn’t perfection — it’s co-regulation and repair. When she sees you calm your body, apologize, or try again, her nervous system learns that safety and love can come after disconnection. That’s gold. You are doing beautiful, courageous work — not just as a parent, but as a cycle-breaker and a healer. 🌱Be gentle with yourself. You’re both still growing — together, side by side — and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be.