A parent was picking their child up from karate class the other day and the child wanted a treat for taking class. The parent didn’t have a treat (or didn’t want to give it – I’m not sure) but the child threw himself on the floor right in the middle of the walkway. I watched as other parents tip-toed around. Everyone had their eyes down. The parent blushed visibly.
Let me say this right now: If this happens to you, take a breath. No one has the right to judge your parenting skills based on one incident. When we feel embarrassed, we are tempted to react in a negative way. I have seen parents try to ignore their child and I have seen parents snatch the child off the floor and proceed to spank them right there in public.
There is so much in between! I could give blanket advice right now, but the truth is every child is different, and every situation might be handled differently. What I would like to say for every situation like this is, “Take care of you.” If you are feeling angry or frustrated, take care of you first. Take a breath, pace in a circle, state your feelings aloud. “I feel so embarrassed when you act like this.” Trust me, your child is listening and it goes a long way that you stick to your guns. Plus, you’re modeling self-control.
Whatever you need to do to take a minute. Then remember, we’ve all had those days.
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