Some days are tougher than others. As a parent, your kids of any age can trigger intense emotions
Dijamco
Some days are tougher than others. As a parent, your kids of any age can trigger intense emotions
You might feel like screaming!
And if you do, I call this an adult tantrum
I felt like this sometimes today
And not for any big reason
I think I used every one of these tips at some point in the last 24 hours
My kids will call me out on anything
They don’t let anything slide
They are the first to point out by saying, “Mommy, you’re being grumpy!” Sometimes that alone can make me laugh
Othertimes, I’ll feel worse!
Maybe I’ve already yelled at the kids, “No more whining!” Geesh, and then realizing I just did the same thing
Whether or not my own whine has come out, as soon as I can get my awareness on myself, I Take 5
Before saying anything else, I have to get myself in my body. It helps to start paying attention to all your physical senses - like what do you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch at the moment? Where are your feet? Your bottom? Can you feel the pressure of the earth or chair beneath?
I’ll slow my breathing which has likely gotten shallow and stuck. Get back to taking slow smooth long breaths with a longer exhale to calm further
If I can I’ll start moving my body. Get into downward dog or start dancing or do some jumping jacks. Stress creates tension and movement can help release that tension
Or get laughing which will get you breathing and moving as well. Think of a funny moment or something to get you laughing. The laughter can break the looping short-circuit of frustration
Reflect on the situation. If you’re being triggered it’s for a reason. Chances are it’s hitting a button that started in your own childhood, reminding you of certain circumstances and emotions you had then. This is a great opportunity for you to become aware of the pattern as such. It’s personal but it’s not. It’s really just a stuck pattern. With your conscious awareness and breath you can get unstuck. The difficult moment suddenly becomes a healing opportunity.
Wow, you’ll be on your way to deeper healing
And honor your human emotions. If you need to, get in the privacy of your car (without the kids), keep the windows up and get your screams out. Been there! 💕
And then one of the kids might say, “Mommy I love you so much” (despite my grumpy mood), and I’ll realize they are holding space for me to just be. And this is what the kids need from us too. To say “I love you” no matter what, so that they feel safe to just be, too 💞
