3 Ways to Freak Your Kids Out
Our kids can be tough, right? That's their job, to test us and see what we are made of, to see if they can count on us to stay in control of ourselves. While I don't believe anyone can "drive us crazy" or "push our buttons" unless we let them, I do know that our kids can be challenging and a handful.
So let's turn it around on our kids and freak them out. Let's do something so out of character that it really throws them off, that they stop in their tracks and look at us funny.
Then we can just smile and say softly, "Guess what, pal? I'm back in charge of myself, and that's good news for all of us." So try these 3 ways to freak your kids out. They are great fun and also happen to be essential for having a peaceful home and confident child.
1. Be relentlessly positive. Know how easy it is to pick out all our kids' faults, constantly nag and say "stop" and "no" 358 times each evening?
So for the next 3 days, find everything you can that is positive about your child. "Wow, I noticed you've been concentrating for 45 minutes playing your Xbox. That shows me you can focus really well." "I'm proud of you guys for playing so well together this afternoon. Guess you're growing up." "Evan, you're an amazing builder. I can't wait to see all the great things you're going to do in life." Get reacquainted with the following phrases that we've all forgotten, "Great job," "You're really being helpful," "I'm proud of you."
I bet it makes your kids feel different. And I know it will make YOU feel differently about your kids.
2. Go a week without lecturing. Sometimes we feel like we haven't done our job as parents without a couple arguments, feeling overwhelmed and at least one good lecture.
A wonderful Mom from
Get some duct tape, put it over your mouth and refrain from all lectures for one week. Then see what happens.
3. Shock your kids by staying calm even when THEY freak out. Stay calm during meltdowns and tantrums. When your kids are trying to manipulate you by losing it, sit down and read a magazine, go happily along your way and let them know that even though their world is out of control, yours isn't. No matter what your kids do, don't react. They are so used to seeing you react emotionally that it will freak them out to see you calm.