It is painful as a parent to watch our children in pain, or anticipating pain.
And confusing in situations where there is necessary pain and discomfort like in the case of medical care.
The key to helping our children navigate these challenging moments is in staying calm (not taking their anxiety on) and in staying present (feeling empathy for their fear and discomfort but not shutting down).
As adults if we avoid their anxiety and worry it will continue to cycle inside their little bodies and likely come out more intensely.
I always tell myself "this is an opportunity for my child to learn more about their emotions and for me to continue to show them what empathy and support in a relationship feels like".
Hang in there parents, Dentists and Doctors visits are not for the faint of heart 💜❤️💜❤️
.webp){kind=avatar}
In this video, Dr. Laura Markham shares practical tips on how to help kids and parents manage boredom by staying in a place of compassionate teaching, which involves expressing empathy, helping kids notice body sensations, developing the habit of seeing boredom as an unidentified need state, being patient, and teaching kids to discover their own options without collapsing into despair.
.webp){kind=avatar}
The video shares a parenting tip inspired by dogs and encourages viewers to create a culture of connection with their family in the new year.
.webp){kind=avatar}
In this video, relationship expert explains how the instinct to push away when wanting to be close is called "protest" behavior in attachment research, but in couples counseling, it is often referred to as sabotage, and shares the most effective way to bring your partner close is to express your desire for connection.
%402x.svg){kind=icon}