When you are a parent, there will inevitably come a time when your son or daughter unleashes a slew of shocking and disrespectful outbursts directed at you. When we respond with, “How dare you talk to me like that!” or “You’re grounded!” we are just mirroring their frequency and making it all about us. Our job is to keep a level head and keep the focus on them. Here are some tips:
- Listen carefully. Let them complete their thoughts and spill over.
- Take a deep breath and remind yourself this isn’t about you. If you feel you must address the “disrespect,” do it after things have cooled off.
- When kids argue with us, it is their way of trying to reason through the situation. It’s how they are building grit, self-reliance.
- Arguments are red carpet invitations for growth if we can ride out the wave of emotion. When we address issues when emotions and thoughts are calm, we get through to our kids much faster and the lesson is learned.
So, when your sweet kids turn into monsters right before your eyes, check your own behavior and realize that this is the time they need you the most.