HELP! MY KIDS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!

HELP! MY KIDS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!

Published On: December 27, 2014

Parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging relationships. Are you feeling overwhelmed and need some fresh perspective?

Stop and Breathe

If you and your child are clashing wills whether with a two year old or a fifteen year old sometimes you just have to press pause and take a moment. In the heat of the moment, don’t escalate your emotions of frustration and anger so that you say or do something you may regret.

Walk a Mile in Your Child’s Shoes

Are you tired of the power struggles in your relationship with your child? Create an opportunity that provides a way for both of you to win. What common ground do you share? What compromises are you and your child willing to make? How might your child be feeling or what might they be thinking? By trying to understand the situation from your child’s perspective you can affirm them and demonstrate that you care deeply.

Time Together

Communicating and connecting with your child at their level is essential to developing a great relationship. Take an interest in what motivates, excites, or worries them. Do they like to sing and dance or snuggle and read a book? Are they excited to create and draw or go for a bike a ride? Knowing your child and sharing positive experiences will further build trust in your relationship.

No One is Perfect

Be kind to yourself and to your children. There are no perfect parents and it is okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Likewise, when your child makes a mistake – be there for them and support them in learning and moving forward. As parents we can role model for our child how to admit when we have made a mistake and ask for forgiveness. We also can teach our children how to forgive.

Reach Out

Talk to a friend, a family member, a neighbour, a coach, or a teacher. Access your community resource centre, Google an article, read a book, take a class, see a life coach, talk to a counselor… there are many informal and professional resources available – utilize these because you and your family are worth it!