On a recent episode of The Conscious Conception Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Libby, also known as the “Emoji Coach.” Our conversation explored a topic that is incredibly important for anyone preparing for parenthood, yet often overlooked: healing our own childhood wounds before welcoming a child into the world.
When we talk about preparing for pregnancy, the focus is usually on physical health—nutrition, sleep, exercise, and medical support. These are all essential, of course. But what many people don’t realize is that emotional preparation can be just as important. Our emotional patterns, beliefs, and experiences from childhood can quietly influence the way we parent, often without us even realizing it.
Libby’s work centers on helping both children and parents understand and express their emotions. Her journey into this work was deeply personal. As a child, she struggled to express how she felt, which eventually led to a period of depression that doctors couldn’t easily explain. That experience planted the seed for the work she does today—helping others find safe, simple ways to communicate their emotions.
Originally, Libby began working with children through programs designed to support emotional awareness. However, she quickly noticed something interesting. Parents often approached her asking if she could “fix” their child. Over time, Libby realized that true transformation happens when parents are part of the process. Children learn emotional regulation not only through guidance but through watching how the adults in their lives handle their own emotions.
Parenting, as we both agreed, is one of the most rewarding roles we will ever have—but it is also one of the most triggering. Our children can act like little mirrors, reflecting back our own emotional patterns and unresolved experiences. Even something as simple as a phrase we heard growing up can suddenly come out of our mouths before we even realize it.
The key isn’t perfection. In fact, striving to be the “perfect parent” often creates more pressure and self-judgment. Instead, the real work is awareness. When we begin to notice our reactions, our triggers, and our internal dialogue, we gain the power to respond differently.
Libby also spoke about the role of the inner critic—that voice many of us carry that tells us we’ve handled something wrong or that we should be doing better. Parenting can easily activate guilt and shame, especially if we’re carrying unresolved experiences from our own upbringing. But learning to soften that voice and treat ourselves with compassion is an essential part of breaking generational patterns.
One of the most powerful reminders from our conversation was this: our children don’t need perfect parents. They need connected ones.
When we allow children to feel their emotions—without rushing in to fix or silence them—we create a sense of safety and trust. And when we acknowledge our own mistakes, apologize, and model emotional honesty, we teach them resilience and self-awareness.
As we wrapped up the episode, Libby shared a beautiful takeaway: Parenting is about connection, not perfection.
If you are on the journey toward parenthood—or already walking it—remember that preparing emotionally is one of the greatest gifts you can give both yourself and your future child. Healing your own story doesn’t just transform your life. It helps create a healthier, more conscious beginning for the next generation.
