How Do You Respond To Stress? Stay Calm - Your Child Is Watching
It's what we do.
We love doing it, our kids love when we do it.
They love the interaction with their parents.
In doing so, we inevitably introduce ourselves to situations that may not be so "loving".
What happens when little Suzy takes the scissors and cuts her little sister, Abigail, pig tail when you're at the coffee maker pouring yourself a coffee? You, undoubtably, get stressed out.
Nervous.
First instinct is to scream in pure horror about the "act" of cutting the pigtail.
Maybe the next instinct it to yell AT little Suzy for the "act" of cutting the pigtail.
You find yourself thinking about Abigail's hair - how people are going to think you're a crazy parent, how dangerous the situation could have been.
You start thinking of ways to punish Suzy.
You're going to get your point across - and you mean business! Instead..
..
Stop.
Perhaps you could take the scissors away first.
(Have you done that yet?) Fact is, you're probably going to have to cut the other pigtail.
Another factis, you're little baby Abigail is still going to be beautiful.
Once you've taken the scissors away, take a deep breathe.
It's OK to be angry.
Anger is an emotion that all people have.
It can be healthy or destructive.
It's your decision.
You are in control.
Please remember, how you react to situations where anger is your only emotion, your child is watching.
He/She is learning your reactions.
They will think it's normal for people to react loudly, uncontrollably and filled with rage.
They will react that way in school and in life.
So the next time that you are angry - do what I like to do.
Take a deep breathe and WHISPER as low as you can.
Yes.
Whisper.
It will cut your stress level to a point where you can deal with situations with a clear head, instead of high blood pressure.
Try it.
You may just like it - And you may find it funny when little Suzy whispers back at you.
We love doing it, our kids love when we do it.
They love the interaction with their parents.
In doing so, we inevitably introduce ourselves to situations that may not be so "loving".
What happens when little Suzy takes the scissors and cuts her little sister, Abigail, pig tail when you're at the coffee maker pouring yourself a coffee? You, undoubtably, get stressed out.
Nervous.
First instinct is to scream in pure horror about the "act" of cutting the pigtail.
Maybe the next instinct it to yell AT little Suzy for the "act" of cutting the pigtail.
You find yourself thinking about Abigail's hair - how people are going to think you're a crazy parent, how dangerous the situation could have been.
You start thinking of ways to punish Suzy.
You're going to get your point across - and you mean business! Instead..
..
Stop.
Perhaps you could take the scissors away first.
(Have you done that yet?) Fact is, you're probably going to have to cut the other pigtail.
Another factis, you're little baby Abigail is still going to be beautiful.
Once you've taken the scissors away, take a deep breathe.
It's OK to be angry.
Anger is an emotion that all people have.
It can be healthy or destructive.
It's your decision.
You are in control.
Please remember, how you react to situations where anger is your only emotion, your child is watching.
He/She is learning your reactions.
They will think it's normal for people to react loudly, uncontrollably and filled with rage.
They will react that way in school and in life.
So the next time that you are angry - do what I like to do.
Take a deep breathe and WHISPER as low as you can.
Yes.
Whisper.
It will cut your stress level to a point where you can deal with situations with a clear head, instead of high blood pressure.
Try it.
You may just like it - And you may find it funny when little Suzy whispers back at you.
