Some tips on how not to lose it when your kids do something triggering
It's definitely a 'one day at a time' kind of process...
If you can firmly walk around professing that you do not lose your cool with your kids, then you are our new favourite superhero.
Well done to you and whatever you're doing, you need to share with the rest of the parenting world.
But most of us have to admit that there are those moments where we find ourselves having an out-of-body experience. Where we have to stop and listen, because we screamed so loud that we scared ourselves.
No judgement here if you have lost your cool with your kids before.
But to save you some grace for the next 100 or more times, we wanted to share some valuable tips as put forth by a toddler expert and paediatrician, Dr Cathryn.
First and foremost, Dr Cathryn explains that we are wired to blow up when our buttons are pushed, so don't guilt trip over losing your cool. It happens to the most patient of people.
One of the main things that the doctor prescribes here is to take care of yourself.
So often we neglect ourselves because our children are our priority.
"But here’s the thing. Chronic exhaustion, overwhelm, and endless hours of work are stressful and exhausting. Which in turn leads to reactive parenting." (Instagram)
Think of it this way, if you make yourself a priority and do things that help you destress and relax, then you can be calmer for them when they need you to be.
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Then there's creating a space. It's healthy to create a space between your kids' behaviour and your reaction to it.
Guess that age old advice about taking some space to reflect during a heated moment was true. She says that we should use space to let our nervous systems calm down.
And lastly, find a calming down technique or mantra to handle your response.
It could mean taking a walk outside, using breathing techniques, listening to music or a particular sound. Just find something that grounds you and do it.
Image Courtesy of Pexels