Psychology
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day agoSlowly does it: how to be patient in a world that wants everything right now
Modern culture fosters impatience in children and adults, impacting their ability to wait and develop essential life skills.
But I would like to take a different approach. I would like to suggest that we can make some headway by considering that human behaviors are caused by their feelings, and if we can put words to the feelings (verbalization), we will go a long way to stopping physical punishment.
Saying yes to your child means loosening the reins and indulging them a little. It means being as flexible as you can while still setting clear limits as you normally would. For instance, let them make a fort from blankets, pillows, and couch cushions, knowing this will create more work for you, cleaning up later. Let them paint their bike. Let them invent a cookie recipe which you help them make and bake, knowing it will likely be barely edible. You get the idea.
What makes me even crazier is that I know they can listen. I know this because they do all the time, mostly when they aren't supposed to. I can't tell you how many times I've been having an adult conversation with my husband and/or friends and my two children-who haven't listened to a word I've said all day-suddenly have very thoughtful and detailed questions
You snap at your child over something tiny: They won't stop asking questions while you're trying to think. They're taking forever to put on their shoes. They're resisting toothbrushing. Again. And you feel terrible for snapping at them. Again. Maybe you believe that good parents sacrifice everything for their children. That putting yourself first is selfish. That if you just tried harder...had more patience...were a better person...you wouldn't lose it over something so small.