We’re pretty sure that kids think the word “No” means ask Mom repeatedly until she either change her mind or loses it.
Ok so you’ve lost it. You blew your cool. You totally flipped your lid! It’s easy to see how it happens… you’ve had a string of broken nights and too many early mornings, and on top of it, everywhere you look there are things that need to be done; dishes, laundry, clutter.
The tantrums, the questions and the screaming … you’re at the end of your tether, and, why is that middle aged woman looking at you as if you are Satan’s morally inferior sister?! You see, before you become a parent, you are oh so very judgemental of those who are parents.
So, Wound Up Parent Syndrome, or WUPS, as it is commonly known, is a state in which a parent is flustered by her/his children to the point of wanting to scream, run away, speak in tongues, send the offending child to Abu Dabi to live with Nermil, or drink. If you think this is just a bunch of complaints about being a Mom and having kids, it’s not. This generalized condition of parental disbelief is often characterized by boiling blood, pulsing veins in the forehead, premature grey hair, a complete loss for words, and exhaustion.
Truth is there are no perfect angels when it comes to Moms and Dads – we all lose it from time to time. But seriously, WHAT KIND OF A PARENT ARE YOU FOR REACTING IN SUCH A WAY TOWARDS YOUR OWN LITTLE CHILD? A perfectly normal parent, says Laura Bradley, a Vancouver family counsellor. “This is one of the most intense relationships we have,” she says “And it is the only one where we expect ourselves to have loving thoughts toward another person all the time. “When you are pushed to your limits – it’s bound to trigger anger. That’s ok, says Bradley; what’s important is how you deal with it.
Here are a few tips to “patient-hood.” Ready? Here we go …
- Fill your bucket. You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. Maybe a movie and dinner with your man now and then?
- Count to 10, take a few deep breaths and feel the frustration draining out of you.
- Take a break. Walk away for 5 or 10 minutes. Calm down, plan your words and actions and then return as calm as a monk.
- Pretend someone is watching. You’re less likely to overreact if someone is watching your every move, right?
- Change your perspective. There are so many people who can’t have kids or who have lost children, who would love to experience everything that you’re going through right now. In the grand scheme of things you are so lucky to have this child.
- Visualize the relationship you want with your child. What will the situation be like in an hour from now? The way you react can (and will) affect the future. Do you want your kids to look back on a kind and patient parent, or otherwise?
- Seek support. Call in reinforcements when you need it. It takes a village …
- Fake it till you make it. Just because you’re not filled with unending patience doesn’t mean you can’t act like you are
- Laugh and love a lot. Believe me; it will pass all too quickly.
Happy parenting!
Source: www.scarymommy.com, unreasonably.blogspot.co.za, housewifeplus.bangordailynews.com, www.uncommonhelp.me, www.todaysparent.com, zenhabits.net, www.essence.com, www.babble.com, www.pgeveryday.com
