Try a Little Gentleness By Brianna Carter
In the wake of the holidays , with schedules switching and excitement bubbling , have you tried a little gentleness ?
While the holidays have a way of bringing out the best in many of us , they also seem to reveal the worst . We all need some grace . With visitors coming and going , parties and gatherings to attend , meals to plan and family and friends to meet , the juggle struggle is real . It ’ s incredibly overstimulating for parents and potentially more inflaming for our children .
When routines fall to the wayside and we ’ re all out of our element to some degree , many times children are struggling more than we realize in these temporary circumstances . When this happens , have you tried a little gentleness ?
Say what ?
Gentleness goes a long way with kids . Although the term “ gentle parenting ” may seem super soft on the surface , it ’ s rooted in mental health practices and age-appropriate behavioral strategies . Children are still novices when it comes to comprehending and navigating emotions . Oftentimes , they look to parents for direction and support that can be expressed in the form of tantrums . Outbursts and meltdowns generally stem from the way they are feeling and being unable to come to terms with that emotion . It ’ s also an attention grab , but more as a grab for reassurance and comfort than attention .
The style has four basic principles : empathy , respect , understanding and boundaries . Parents who
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