One of the most difficult parts of parenting is handling the MELTDOWNS!
Can I get an amen?!
Our kids know just how to push our buttons, don’t they?
I remember not too long ago, my kids were yelling at one another so I yelled at them, “Stop yelling!” When I realized the irony of the situation – me yelling at them to stop yelling – I couldn’t help but chuckle.
When our kids are in the middle of a meltdown or a challenging moment, it’s incredibly difficult to stay calm. But staying calm is exactly what they need us to do.
Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to help you stay calm and respond appropriately to those challenging moments:
-
- Don’t take it personally. I love what parenting expert Dr. Ross Greene often says: “Children do well when they can.” What he means by that is that kids don’t intentionally misbehave. They don’t have meltdowns because they want to make their parents miserable; they have ADHD meltdowns because they’re struggling! So when your child is having a meltdown, don’t take it personally. It’s not about you. It’s about them having a hard time! Which brings me to the second tip…
- Show empathy to your child. Remember: your children are not giving you a hard time; they are having a hard time. Try to put yourself in their shoes, understand where they are coming from, and feel what they are feeling.
- Focus on something positive. It’s tempting – especially in the middle of a meltdown – to focus only on the negative. Try to let go of the negative thinking and focus on something positive, even if that something is very small!
- Calm your body by using a breathing technique. I like to use the Take 5 breathing technique because it’s an easy one for children to do with us.
- Smile. It’s amazing how a simple smile can help calm your spirit. And finally…
- Walk away. If all else fails and you can’t seem to keep your cool, it’s okay to walk away. I think we sometimes think we shouldn’t do this, but it is totally okay to walk away, cool off, and re-address the issue once everyone is calm.
Another important tip…let’s call this a bonus tip…is to teach your children to calm down techniques.
That is one of the best gifts we can give our kids: a toolbox full of calm down techniques they can pull from any time they are struggling. This is something they would use for the rest of their lives!
Want to know more about how we can help YOU get to a place of peace and calm with your child using natural strategies?
Let’s talk!
with one of my expert team members to help you take your next step toward a healthier, happier home. There is absolutely NO RISK. It’s free, and there are no obligations. All we will do is chat about how we can help you get to where you want to go!
Alternatively, for more details about how you can help reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms, sign up for my today
And as always, I am not a medical doctor and the above post is based on my experience. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition.
