Stephanie Burstein, Care Specialist
You ask your child to clean their room, or finish a chore and before you know it, the situation quickly escalates. Your child is now screaming and talking back. So what is your reaction? How we react and problem solve when faced with a conflict is how our children learn to problem solve and react in a similar situations. Next time you see yourself in a struggle with your children take a step back, breathe, and then react. When we are being yelled at our bodies produce high levels of adrenaline and cortisol causing an even more emotional and less mindful reaction. When we are worn down in this way, conflict resolution will not be attained. Being a good role model for our kids goes far beyond work ethic, morals, and values, our behaviors are just as important. Think about how you handle conflicts in your home, and how your children handle conflict – what are the similarities? Challenge yourself to become more mindful in times of conflict, not only for your children, but also for yourself!
For more mindful parenting tips, try these great resources:
The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents by Deepak Chopra
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Dr. Becky A. Bailey