Conscious Parenting with Human Design

I still get the occasional side-eye when I mention Human Design. Sometimes an even heavier side-eye when discussing human design as it relates to conscious parenting and little people. Lately, in conversation I often find myself thinking, ‘Hmmm. I wonder what so and so’s design is?’ Or asking a relative, “What time were you born? I could find out your human design for you?” I’m sure you can imagine how humorous it can be. All jokes aside, once I learned of my own design there was such an immediate shift in my life. I was excited to share the concept with others. For instance, I now view my emotions, decision-making processes, and how I interact with others through a new, clearer lens.  

Clarity to such an extent, I became curious about the designs of my children and granddaughter. Curious is an understatement. More like passionate.

Learning and teaching them their designs at such young ages would be the definition of conscious parenting with Human Design.

Jo’s granddaughter Naima, Summer 2021

Unconscious Conditioning

My intention has always been to parent my sons and daughter as individuals in as much capacity as I had the awareness to. However, conditioning has its way of presenting itself in the most unsuspecting ways. Despite my hope that they find strength in their individuality and have confidence in their own minds and personalities, I found myself expecting them to consider ideas the way I do. Conscious parenting with Human Design is an asset in identifying and addressing this type of unconscious conditioning. 

Things like setting schedules for themselves. The best way to organize their day. Or maybe the best way to get their homework done. Chores and insisting they learn the ‘right’ way to do them. Even the way they speak to me and others by teaching them what I consider respectful or disrespectful.

You might be thinking, ‘What does any of that have to do with unconscious conditioning or Human Design?’ After discovering the designs of my little people, two of whom aren’t so little anymore, I gained new understanding of the unique ways in which they are meant to operate in environments, relationships, and ways more natural for them to learn and engage with others. 

None of them the same as the other, which means the ways they are taught to study, behave, interact with others, make decisions, etc., should also differ.

Jo’s daughter Asiyah, 2021

“Gifts Reflect Those Who Give Them” ~ Chinese Proverb

Imagine having certainty of your inherent gifts. Eliminating the need to muddle through, depending on the opinions of others to direct you to your talents and what you feel happy doing. I remember nearing the end of my high school career and the high school careers of my eldest children and desperately trying to guess at what to focus on going forward. What career would be best to pursue in college? What did I/they want to do for the rest of our lives?! The pressure and anxiety that can surround having to know while you have no idea can be overwhelming. 

Aside from design type and profile, the gates and channels of the human design chart detail an individual’s inherent gifts. To know, focus on and hone what you know for sure are your strengths would be a game-changer for most. Imagine having the certainty of how you can most positively impact the world and moving with confidence in that direction.

Jo’s son Kai, Summer 2021

Conscious Parenting with Human Design: The Science of Differentiation

The fact that human design is also known as “The Science of Differentiation” speaks for itself. Our designs are literal maps that explain our individual relationships with energy and are tools in which each person can embrace their uniqueness. Ways in which people, even little people, align with their designs can differ wildly. This ‘map’ highlights in no uncertain terms, how human design strategies and authorities perfectly reflect how each person is designed to move through life with ease and flow.  For my children and granddaughter, how they behave and react are in such alignment with their design charts that I found myself eager and excited to find out more. 

Once profiles are entered into the equation, be prepared to be blown away! Honestly, I find it to be such an affirmation and source of support in helping them be undoubtedly secure in themselves, confident in how they feel and in what makes them happy. 

The Biggest Freedom

The biggest freedom you can give yourself is to learn your design. In my opinion, the way we understand ourselves is healthier and more important than societal expectations. More satisfying than living and behaving in ways others teach us to believe we should. We are not all designed in the same way or here to do the same things. We are here to be expansive, to create, to be of benefit to each other and to the world in ways that are authentic to us as individuals. 

You may recall, I’ve only just begun to learn and understand operating within my own design. This idea is, for all intents and purposes, learning to consciously parent your little person while reparenting yourself. Considering how you understand yourself and your emotions. Asking yourself if your negative emotions have a basis in moving though life outside of your design? Imagine what a benefit discovering the answers to these questions would be. What a beautiful benefit using Human Design to honor our differences and the differences in our little people would be. What a powerful shift it would be to teach our children their power is in their uniqueness with a map that shows them exactly what that looks like.

Jo Leon, Mom of 4 and Human Design Enthusiast!