During challenging times, it’s crucial for parents to prioritize their own emotional well-being before guiding their children.
When faced with a child’s temper tantrum, parents need to manage their emotions effectively. Losing one’s calm can make it difficult to raise well-behaved children.
This is especially true for older, emotionally sensitive children who require a higher level of respect from their parents.
Emotional management involves inner dialogue and self-reconciliation. When negative emotions take over, it feels like being trapped in a vortex.
Therefore, parents should actively address their negative emotions, adjust their state of mind, and avoid getting caught in this emotional vortex. Here are some strategies parents can try to help themselves and their children:
Take Some Time to Relax
Parents should try to avoid staying up late, go to bed early, and ensure they get enough rest to improve their mood and energy levels. This is not just a suggestion but an essential aspect of maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
Sleep plays a crucial role in energy restoration and mood enhancement, helping parents feel refreshed and prepared to face the day’s challenges.
This is a personal tip from a psychological expert to parents. Sleeping too late can lead to grogginess the next day, irritability, and difficulty controlling emotions when children misbehave.
Take some time to relax.
Lack of sleep can impair concentration, lead to mental and physical exhaustion, and make parents more irritable and sensitive to their children’s behaviors. This not only affects how parents react to their children but also creates a stressful home environment.
Moreover, when parents feel tired and irritable, children can sense it. This tension may cause children to feel unsafe in expressing themselves.
Instead of receiving support and empathy, they may feel criticized and unloved. This creates a vicious cycle where children feel less accepted, act out more, and parents become increasingly frustrated.
Set Work Aside When at Home, Minimize Phone Usage, and Spend More Time with Your Children
When parents put down their mobile phones, they can engage in various activities with their children, such as reading bedtime stories.
Sometimes, parents can play with clay, do crafts, or even explore art together. Alternatively, they can take their children out to play ball, go for walks in the park, or organize small picnics to enjoy the fresh air.
Outdoor activities bring joy, contribute to children’s physical development, and foster a connection with nature.
Spend more quality time with your children.
Additionally, parents will have more time to check on their children’s academic progress and homework. This demonstrates parental involvement in their children’s education, providing opportunities for family discussions and collaborative problem-solving. Such support boosts children’s confidence and assures them that they are not alone in their learning journey.
When parents dedicate quality time to their children, the anxieties and stresses of daily life fade away. The family atmosphere becomes warmer and more harmonious, creating cherished memories for everyone.
Speak to Your Children in a Softer Tone and Avoid Giving Commands in a Loud Voice
Lowering the volume and speaking gently will make children more receptive to what parents have to say. A gentle tone creates a peaceful atmosphere, making children feel respected and understood.
When children sense this gentle approach to communication, they are more likely to open up and be receptive to advice and reminders.
For instance, if a mother gently reminds her child that it’s late and he needs to finish his homework first, he is more likely to listen and comply.
Speak to your children in a softer tone.
Even if the child delays in responding, perhaps due to being engrossed in play or feeling reluctant, a gentle and patient approach will eventually lead to task completion.
Furthermore, when parents model this positive communication style, children learn from it. They realize that expressing emotions and thoughts calmly and respectfully is the best way to resolve issues. This improves relationships and equips children with essential communication skills.
Laugh Often and Maintain a Cheerful Disposition with Your Children
A father shared that sometimes he smiles unconsciously. His son, noticing this, would turn and smile back, his smile seeming to ask, “Dad, why are you smiling?”
The smile of a parent, though it may not always be visible, carries a wealth of emotion. A simple smile can generate positive waves throughout the living space, making all family members feel closer and more loving towards each other.
The family atmosphere significantly influences the development of a child’s personality and the happiness of each family member. When children grow up in an environment filled with joy and support, they learn to express positive emotions.
Laugh and maintain a cheerful disposition with your children.
On the other hand, if the family atmosphere is consistently heavy and tense, children may develop anxiety, lack of confidence, and social integration difficulties.
Therefore, it’s essential to address your own emotions and maintain a relaxed state before caring for your children. This means not only feeling happy but also knowing how to manage your emotions effectively.
Practicing stress reduction techniques like meditation or exercise, or simply taking time for yourself, can help you become calmer and more positive. When you feel good, it’s easier to transmit this positive energy to your children.