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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...
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.
In this video, learn about the power of empathy when dealing with anger, but also be warned about the limits of empathy in the context of abusive mentalities, where anger is used to justify harmful behavior.
Learn how to help your child process their emotions and build a deeper connection with them by following these three simple tips, which can help switch their neurochemistry from panic or despair to safety and connection.