1.
Deep breaths all you dedicated parents.
Getting frustrated with your kids doesn't make you inadequate.
Forgetting a lunch doesn't make you inadequate.
Having little to no patience or being distracted at times each day doesn't make you inadequate.
It makes you imperfect.
Just like your kids.
The very very best of parents are not perfect or anywhere near that really...what makes a parent truly great is the ability to repair a conflict or disconnect and then model compassion to their kids AND to themselves.
When you mess up... apologize and reconnect...and work to do better...and please don't beat yourself up for being human...
Avoid focusing too much on fairness when teaching kids, as it can create a belief that good behavior is always rewarded and bad behavior is always punished, leading to the dangerous belief that they deserve any trauma they experience, instead use relational motivation to guide them towards making good choices.
In this video, you'll discover how to respond to your children's disrespectful behavior with compassion and set healthy boundaries while modeling respectful communication.
The difference between calm and gentle teaching and permissiveness when addressing problematic behavior in children can be confusing, but punishing a child for their mistakes does not teach them emotional and behavioral maturity; instead, being respectful and patient in drawing boundaries and limits is more effective in teaching children the right way to handle difficult situations.