Trust me, it's not pretty at times. Parents have really the hardest job in the world! Parents give, then give a little more, then give even more, and sometimes, even if they give everything they have it's not enough! Parenting is like a Bad Credit Card with super high interest! It feels like it will never end!
But let's slow down...there must be an upside to all this!
Of course there is but it is hard to see, hear, and feel at times. So, how can parents like us survive? I thought about this for a while before writing today. Here's what I came up with today (30 minutes thought).
- Inoculate: Give yourself a prevention "shot". What's that? It's basically self talk and rehearsing that kids can be difficult, and will be difficult at times. Keeping yourself AWARE of this is therapy in itself.
- Time-Out!: Yes, you have permission to take time out. Be imaginative, get some time away with a friend, by yourself at a starbucks, or with your spouse! (Yes, it's sometimes good to spend time with the one you fell in love with).
- Read: reading about parenting, kids, and communication really can be helpful. Soon I will post a suggested reading list but please comment to this blog and suggest your own helpful reading too.
- Don't Label: Try not to label your child too quickly. I work in a world of "labeled" kids. "Emotionally Disturbed", "Behaviorallys Disturbed", "Learning Disabled", and the whole DSMIV Manual of Mental disorders...Don't label your kid...kids are kids..they are all different. Labels only help if you benefit from an understanding of it.
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