Raising Kids: How Do You Keep Your Cool?
Check Out This Article
I just read a news article from the Onion (check this quick and humorous article out) about another mom who has learned the value of taking time for herself.
You know, sometimes when we get overwhelmed as parents our response may not always be the best. I’ve found in those instances, when I take a moment to myself I am SO much better equipped to handly the situation with love and patience rather than irritation and snippiness (yes, I just made that word up).
Why Saying Nothing can be More Effective Than Saying Something
Ever heard the phrase “Silence is golden?” Well, it can be golden in more ways than one. In some situations (especially those when you feel like you are going to lose your cool), silence can convey a message more effectively than a whole dictionary of words.
60 Second Strategies:
So in those moments when you are about to start ripping your hair out by the handful and let loose a stream of words you might regret later, try silence on for size. Go lock your door for a minute. Take a couple of deep breaths, remind yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for, and see how much better you feel.
Then you will be ready to return to your family and be the amazing parent you want to be.
Mom! Go Sit in Time-Out!
Parents Need Time-Outs, Too
The other day was just “one of those days.” You know the kind? The kids were wound tighter than a spool of thread, they had WAY too much rambunctious energy to be safely contained within four walls and before you could even say “peanut-butter sandwich” things just started to melt down.
I hastily slapped some sandwiches together and tossed a couple of apples in the bag and exited stage left to expend some of this energy at a nearby park (one of our favorite diversions).
In spite of playing hard outside all morning, my kids still were a bit on the cantankerous side. By the end of the day, I was just spent! I needed a time out! Read more
Lord of the Flies: The Next Generation
Last week I wrote a post about my own personal vendetta with flies. Well, the battle has seemed to have passed on to the next generation.
By this, I mean that my 4-year-old has taken up arms with the flyswatter and is terrorizing the flies that are trespassers in our house.
Yesterday after he successfully dismantled one of his winged foes, he hunkered down to examine the remains and said a little prayer over the carcass that went as follows:
“Dear Heavenly Father, please take this fly back to your house and hug him and kiss him and then SWAT HIM!” Read more
Building Your Child’s Self-Esteem by Living in the Now
“Now is a gift, that is why it’s called the present.”
Have you ever had your kids look at you impatiently and roll their eyes and say, “C’mon! Live in the NOW!”?
Did you know that behind the sassy-ness, there is actually wisdom in those words? Think about it for a minute. All we really have is right now in this very moment. You don’t have yesterday, you don’t have tomorrow, you don’t even have 5 minutes ago. It’s all right now. Read more
A Painful Loss and a Beautiful Realization
Last week I lost a cousin unexpectedly. His passing was premature. He left behind a beautiful wife and three young kids. My heart aches not just for myself and no longer being able to see him or talk to him, but it aches for his family he left behind.
As we wipe our tears and comfort one another, I am filled with gratitude for another day on this planet. We just don’t know when our ticket will be called. We don’t know if we have tomorrow, or even five minutes from now. All we really ever have is this moment, right now.
Rather than worrying about tomorrow or fretting about yesterday, I choose to be fully present in this moment. To really see my kids, to hug them more, to tell my husband I love him. To be grateful for the breath of life that fills my lungs, for my heart that continues to beat non-stop. To savor the sights, the smells, the tastes, the very essence of life. To really feel the beauty of this day, this moment … it’s the only thing I have and it is more than I could ever ask for.
Take a moment today and tell those in your life how much you love them. Give them an extra hug and kiss. Enjoy it. Savor it. Don’t put it off till tomorrow. Tomorrow is not yet yours. Do it today. All it will take is 60 seconds…
Discover 60 Second Parenting
FREE "Coaching" Call
I detest SPAM as much as you and promise to keep your information confidential.
Want to learn how to create meaningful interactions with your children amidst the chaos of everyday life?
Simply enter your name and primary email address in the form above to access this FREE 45 minute "coaching" call that will walk you through the basics of
60 Second Parenting.
Kirsten Nelson
Professional Mother
Founder & CEO
Magnifying Minds, LLCBabies can READ!
If there was one book that really changed the way I felt about being a parent and the way I am raising my children, it is How To Teach Your Baby To Read, by Glenn Doman. This book introduced me to the genius that is inherent in every child and how to provide an environment to awaken and nurture that genius. I feel more engaged as a parent, and my kids love it, too. This is a must read for any parent who wants more than just average for their children. Click here to get your copy today!
Click to Listen to a FREE session in my Glenn Doman Study series:
Click HERE to learn more about this FREE book series.
Subscribe to RSS Feeds