What To Do When You're Stuck

I LOVE to learn and today I hit the jackpot! I discovered a Child Psychiatrist on-line and so enjoyed her tone and suggestions that I had to share this with you. I've said much the same thing to many of you in class, but not nearly as clearly as this!

"We've all had those moments with our child when we're stuck and we don't know what to do. When our own feelings are so raw, our frustration so intense, our cup so empty, we stop caring for the moment about what our child needs and just lash out.

Then we're overcome with remorse. But in that moment, with the tidal wave of our emotions washing over us, what can we possibly do to save the situation?

No matter how ugly your child is acting, what he or she wants more than anything in the world is to reconnect with you. It may seem impossible, but if we feel the slightest glimmer of desire to turn things around, we can grab it. We don't even have to know how. We can just choose love. We can always find a way to reach out to our child and reconnect. We can always find a way to heal things, even when we're on a cycle of negativity that's gone too far.

When things have gone too far, just STOP.

1. Breathe.

2. Stop berating yourself for letting things get out of control. Hug your imperfect self.

3. Reach out for your child.

In the end, it is always about love. Love never fails."


Thank you Dr. Laura Markham for the kind and wise words!


Should you have a parenting challenge that has you stuck, please get in touch and we'll help you wrestle it to the ground.

Stay well!
Beverley

Beverley Cathcart-Ross is an author, speaker, certified parent educator, and co-founder of Parenting Network. See our Workshops for Spring 2011! Early Bird Specials end March 31st at midnight.