Summer Sanity Tip #4 – 5 Minute Motivation
Summer Sanity Tip #4 – 5 Minute Motivation
Alright families, we’re moving on to Tip #4 to Stay Sane this Summer with Kiddos in Tow!
If there’s one thing that’s EXTREMELY hard to do when our kids are screaming, crying, pushing back, and not listening….it’s responding with empathy.
I don’t know about you, and maybe I’m just a little nuts, but for me, reacting with:
- judgement
- scolding
- lecturing
- nagging
- defensiveness
- threatening
…definitely comes easier!
Culture, in my opinion, has done a great job of setting us up to “Not take crap” from our kids, but not so great of a job teaching us how to:
- slow down
- humble our hearts
- practice empathy
- see vulnerability as a strength
- connect with our kids using compassion
- teach with integrity, instead of quick fixes (fear, force, yelling, etc.)
So yes, choosing to use empathy when an annoying stimulus comes our way (like misbehavior) is TOUGH & can just seem SO odd, but the cool thing is…it’s incredibly effective at:
- settling the waters
- calming kids (and us) down
- making our children feel understood
- showing kids they are valued
- allowing us to feel like teachers (vs. correctional officers)
As positive parenting psychology teaches us, when our kids feel valued, understood & like they belong, their need to misbehave goes WAY down!
Some empathy statements to try include:
- I can see that you are really mad right now
- No wonder you’re so upset, it’s frustrating when someone picks up what you wanted to play with
- It looks like you’re sad right now, I’m here for you if you need a hug
- I know it’s hard when you have to share, I feel the same way when we have fresh pressed juice in the fridge!
- You seem really hurt right now, what your brother said to you was really harsh
- I’ve been in your shoes before when you just feel so scared. Just yesterday, I felt that way in the ocean when the surf was big
Let me know how it goes, I always love hearing success stories or moments of “aha” from you!
If you didn’t see it yet, be sure to watch this 4 minute clip from the KTLA News in Los Angeles where I gave the 5 tips we’re discussing in this 5 week series. Click HERE to watch!
DO YOU STRUGGLE TO FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR PARENTING APPROACH, WORRYING “AM I DOING THE RIGHT THING?”
DO YOU DEEPLY WISH YOUR CHILDREN WOULD LISTEN, COOPERATE & RESPECT YOU MORE?
ARE THERE TIMES WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER AND JUST CAN’T FIND THE PATIENCE TO REMAIN CALM WITH YOUR KIDS?
Looking to learn more about Positive Parenting but have trouble finding time? Would you love a class you can do at home, on your own schedule?
You’re in the right place!
Learn New Tools, Expand Your Heart & Strengthen your Family from the comfort of your own home with The Fresh Start Family Foundations Course
Learn more about how Positive Parenting Curriculum can transform your life through the Fresh Start Family Expereince.
Thank you Wendy for all of your great work! You are such a blessing!
You are so welcome Holly! ~Wendy