Children are really cute, inspiring and definitely lovable. But let's face it, their never ending questions, wild mood swings and outbursts can sometimes be difficult to handle. It can even wear out the most patient parent's nerves.
But smacking and yelling at your kids definitely won't help! Screaming back at them and telling them to stop crying after they made you mad is definitely not going to help make them feel better -- making the situation even worse.
So, to help you handle your kids' tantrums, here are some tips to help you deal with it with more patience.
Take a deep breath.
According to life coach Peggy Sealfon, when parents are frustrated and overwhelmed, they easily lose their patience and eventually snap at their kids. Unfortunately, this response is destructive to children.
Sealfon said that when parents are in the heat of the moment, they instantly say a lot of negative things to their children and these words coming out from the parents' mouths are being internalized by the children to the point that they become "personal beliefs" about their personality. Instead of saying negative things, the expert recommended taking a deep breath to relax your body and mind.
Think before you speak.
Sealfon said every parent should practice this skill. She said that following this is definitely hard, especially when in you're in the heat of the moment. Nevertheless, the more you practice this method and engage being patient, the natural it will become.
Connect with your child.
When you're both feeling calm, clinical psychologist Kirstin Bouse recommended connecting with your child, physically and mentally. She said it is important to talk to your child and ask what's upsetting him or her.
While talking to your kid, Bouse said to give your child a "heartfelt hug." She said connecting with your child, physically and mentally can release the "lovely hormone oxytocin" and will help you feel closer to your kid.
Instead of getting frustrated by your kid's behavior, just start following these steps and it will make you become more patient. However, if you still feel you're having a hard time controlling your anger, it's time to seek professional help.
