Heart4kidsadvocacyforum's Blog

Thinking before we say things and respond to situations is important!  Our children are highly sensitive to us on an emotional level.  It takes a lot of patience to stop-listen-reflect-and evaluate the situation before responding.  Responding off the cuff can be risky because we might say or do something that we will regret!  There are situations where our child is in danger, and we have no choice but to act quickly and deal with the fall out after they are safe and calm.  I believe that it is important to handle situations and behavior in a timely manner so that the child has context to what we are saying and doing. 

If a long period passes before you address the situation, believe me, it is no longer in the consciousness of the child, and is no longer of relevance to what they have moved on to because children live in the “Present”.  We are modeling for our children how to use their words with respect and in a loving and caring way. If we are loud, angry, and uncompromising in our approach with them, this is what they will think represents a healthy relationship.  The other aspect of this is we have a responsibility with our children to make sure the people they engage with are respectful and kind in their interactions with them.  This is setting them up for relationships and being able to discern what is and what is not appropriate in their engagements with other people.  Mind your words Mommy and Daddy and mind the way in which you say things and do things.