Raising a child is a beautiful phase of a parent’s life. While it is a gratifying experience, every parent might feel angry and frustrated at times. Raising a child is not always rainbows and butterflies, especially in their toddler phase.
Kids often don’t follow your instructions, such as switching off the light while leaving the room or turning off the tap while brushing their teeth. Yelling at your child can have a long term impact making them aggressive, insecure, and anxious. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose control, but there are ways to cope with it.
An understanding and patient parent helps their child feel love, safety and much-needed reassurance. It helps your child acknowledge that they are loved and important, despite their occasional bad behaviour. Genuine concern and tolerance can make them change their bad behaviour.
This article will discuss how you can become a calm and understanding parent.
Consequences of anger
Consider the consequences before you reprimand your child. A few seconds of anger and yelling can have some long term negative repercussions. Think for a moment before lashing out at your kids or telling them what you think. Remember that your temper will subside after a few minutes, but the damage done cannot be reversed.
Seconds before the disaster – Take Timeout
Everybody needs a break, especially parents dealing with toddlers, filled with incredible energy. When you find yourself losing your temper, please take a few deep breaths, process the situation and allow yourself to deal with it calmly.
Difference between right and wrong
As parents, you must communicate with your kids about what’s right and not. Being a calm parent doesn’t mean not disciplining them. Correct your children when they are doing something wrong(repeatedly). But as parents, you can only do so much. If your child isn’t listening to you, make them responsible for the consequences.
Being Happy vs Being Right
Dealing with young children can be complicated at times. Sometimes it’s better to be happy and enjoy life with your kids than to be right. It will help you become more relaxed as a parent, and the children may learn to come to you for advice.
Notice your Anger
Instead of mindlessly reacting to your child in anger or frustration, try to examine where the rage originates from. Are you trembling with rage? Has your breathing changed? You are less likely to feel anger once you regularly learn/practice relaxation techniques. A relaxed parent is a calm parent.
Focus on the bigger picture
If the world is ending tomorrow, will it matter if your child didn’t
pick the socks off the floor or walk in with muddy shoes? Look at situations like these, and if it has no impact in the long run, don’t waste your energy and time on it.
We hope this article helps you become a more thoughtful, calm and understanding parent. Choosing peace is powerful, so don’t let the anger get the best of you.