Parenting Support

“Sit down,” you say again, getting louder and louder with each repetition.

“I know you don’t pull this crap with your teachers.”

First you think it; then you say it out loud. No reaction.

No Longer Minding Mom

It’s getting late and your kids have barely touched their breakfast. If you don’t leave the house within the next 15 minutes, you’ll be late. The school doors will be closed, and you’ll have to sign the kids in at the main office.

“Let’s go,” you shout.

Still, no one reacts. Not only are the children ignoring you, but they have left the kitchen entirely. One child has gone to the family room and turned the television on, and the other is playing in the bathroom sink. Nothing productive, just fooling around and not listening.

You’ve moved past shouting and are shrieking as the children peek from their respective locations. They look at you, frightened and quiet. As you angrily put them into their coats, you can’t resist lecturing them about how much you do for them, how unappreciated you feel, and how if you get fired for being late to work again, it’s all their fault.

Everyone shuffles to the car. After a silent drive to school, you drop them off and return to your car. You put your head into your hands and resist crying, feeling like human garbage for screaming again. You promised yourself you wouldn’t let them get to you, they’re only kids, but you did it again.

Is it you?

If a babysitter yelled at your kid, they’d be history. It’s not what you want to be doing either; but in the moment, it feels like the only option you have.

Until you have other options. Which is where I come in.

When you’re in the thick of tantrums and limit testing, late to dance, and ready to pull your hair out, it’s probably not your first instinct to ask, “What is my child trying to tell me?” I can guide you, and we’ll decode the unpleasant behaviors into a set of basic needs. Then we’ll figure out alternative ways of reacting and approaching your child’s negative behaviors.

I love helping parents discover and create options that help them feel empowered instead of helpless.

If you’re ready to make this transition as a parent, call me. Or if your kids hang all over you the minute you reach for the phone like mine do, text me or send me an email. We can arrange a time to speak.