In the fast-paced world of parenting, where chaos, unpredictability, and emotional overwhelm often dominate, we may lose sight of the essential inner space that holds the key to navigating these challenges with peace and power. This inner space, or inner sanctuary, is a deeply personal, safe, and nourishing place that empowers us to stay grounded and present for ourselves and our children.

In a recent conversation with Cindy, we explored the importance of cultivating an inner sanctuary and how it can transform the way we show up as parents. Below is an excerpt from that powerful discussion, and I hope it resonates with you on your parenting journey.

What is the Inner Sanctuary?
When Cindy and I sat down to talk, we started by asking: what exactly is the inner sanctuary? As Cindy so beautifully put it:

“An inner sanctuary to me is creating a space within myself that feels like a coming home. It’s a place where I can nourish myself, find safety, and where my inner wisdom resides. In order to feel into this sanctuary, we have to embody trust, believe that who we are matters, and know that we are whole.”
I couldn’t agree more. When we cultivate this inner sanctuary, we create a strong foundation within ourselves. No matter what chaos or messiness life throws at us, we can return to that sanctuary, where we find our center and stay grounded.

Why is the Inner Sanctuary Essential for Parents?
Parenting children, especially those facing neurodiversity or complex health needs, can feel overwhelming. As parents, we’re often asked to hold space for our children in incredibly difficult moments. This requires an inner resilience and peace that can only come from a cultivated inner sanctuary.

I remember a time when my daughter, Gabi, experienced a near-death moment. As I walked into her hospital room, I was told she would not survive. My immediate reaction was to go inward, to find peace within myself so I could hold space for her and make her feel safe. She needed to know that I believed in her innate power to live this life and to heal—that either choice, to go or stay, was safe. In that moment, my inner sanctuary became her refuge, where nothing around us was in our field of awareness or mattered. Thirty minutes later, she stabilized.

It was through years of nourishing my inner sanctuary, spending time in silence, and consistently returning to that inner space to be reminded of the bigger picture. Each time, I returned to trust and peace, a place within me where I felt only love. I often visualized myself sitting cross-legged in a bed of grass, facing mountains and trees, with the sunlight warming my skin. This constant return to my inner sanctuary helped me re-center, ground, be empowered and connect to a more expansive way of perceiving and understanding. It was this practice that allowed me to show up for Gabi in that moment.

When parents ask how to reach that space, I remind them that it’s a process—it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, dedication, and self-compassion.

The Journey to Cultivating Your Inner Sanctuary
As Cindy and I discussed, we don’t naturally arrive at a place of inner peace. Many of us have spent years suppressing our feelings, and as Cindy pointed out:

“We suppress to survive because it’s hard. But we must feel our feelings, move through our emotions, and release them. It’s through this process that we reconnect with ourselves and find safety within.”
For me, this process began with somatic work. Moving through subtle movements, I began to feel the sensations in my body and learn how to come home to myself. I also deepened my awareness through conscious parenting, which allowed me to explore my triggers and heal my emotional wounds.

This journey requires patience, but there are many practices that can help, including:

Body Awareness Exercises: Take a few minutes each day to scan your body. Notice where you hold tension, how you’re breathing, and what your body is telling you.

Mindful Moments: Incorporate mindfulness into everyday activities. Whether it’s walking in nature, brushing your teeth, or sitting quietly, allow yourself to fully experience the present moment.

Permission to Feel: Give yourself permission to slow down and feel. As Cindy mentioned, many of us keep busy to avoid feeling our emotions. But in those quiet moments, our deepest wisdom arises.
It’s not about erasing difficult emotions but learning to move through them with ease. We begin to accept what is, without resistance, and in that acceptance, we find a new way forward.

The Impact on Our Children
When we cultivate an inner sanctuary, it’s not only for ourselves but for our children. As parents, our energy deeply influences them. When we are grounded and at peace, our children feel that. They mirror our emotional state, and by showing up as our most centered selves, we create a healing and learning environment for them.

Cindy and I talked about how children sense our energy even when we’re not directly communicating with them. When we nourish ourselves and care for our inner world, our children experience that energetic shift, and it empowers them in ways we might not fully realize.

The Power of Support
Lastly, Cindy and I agreed that this process doesn’t have to be done alone. Whether through supportive groups, therapy, or coaching, having someone hold space for us is incredibly valuable. It teaches us how to hold space for ourselves and our children.

Parenting is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences, and we don’t have to navigate it alone. By investing in ourselves, we create the foundation from which we can truly show up for our children in meaningful, empowered ways.

Final Thoughts

Cultivating an inner sanctuary is not an overnight transformation. It requires intentionality, practice, and self-compassion. But once we begin to nurture this space within ourselves, we find that we can navigate life’s challenges with more grace, peace, and power. And this inner work benefits not only us but also our children, who feel the shift in our energy and respond in kind.

I invite you to reflect on what steps you can take today to begin cultivating your inner sanctuary. As Cindy and I mentioned, it can be as simple as noticing how you feel or giving yourself permission to slow down. Over time, these small acts of self-care can lead to profound change.

Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or questions. Cindy and I love hearing from parents and are always open to exploring topics that are meaningful to you.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we can continue to cultivate inner peace and empowerment—for ourselves and our children.

To listen to the full interview with Cindy Kaplan, please visit: https://christinelabbe.com/podcast/ and select one of the many platforms where our podcast is featured. Or watch it on YouTube.