Taking a Cool Down
If you’ve ever had to reprimand your child repeatedly for doing something wrong, you know how frustrated you can get. Often times our frustration leads to shouting matches between us and our children. Sometimes we need to step back, regroup and try again.
One common method that people use to keep their cool when they are about to go off is counting to ten. This allows you to step back and detach yourself temporarily from the situation, thinking objectively about the situation. What do you want to be accomplished? Once you have decided how you are going to proceed, do so in a calm manner.
A impending shouting match can be made even worse when you and your child are in public. One way to avoid an embarrassing scene is to come up with a signal in advance for when you or your child’s temper is rising. Ask your child to come up with a gesture, like a peace sign or a finger to your lips, which you can use when you sense an argument coming on. This will be a sign for you and the child to settle down and continue the conversation at a better time.
Contributed by Solomon Brenner Author Black Belt Parenting “The Art of Raising Your Child for Success.” Master instructor Action Karate. For questions, please email at actionkarate@comcast.net.
