We all make mistakes and don’t always handle situations in the best way, and that’s okay. Mistakes are just a part of being human, so if you lose your cool, don’t beat yourself up about it. However, it is important that you apologize to your children after losing your temper. What started as a moment of chaos and frustration can turn into an opportunity for growth and learning. You can use this experience to help your kids understand why you were upset, which models healthy emotional expression and leads to more positive conflict resolution. Not only will this strengthen your relationship, but it will also help your kids learn how to express their emotions in a healthy way and take responsibility for their actions.
As we wrap up our Split Seconds: How to regain composure quickly as a parent series, we encourage you to keep the strategies we have covered in mind the next time you feel yourself losing control with your kids. Figure out what works best for you, and try combining strategies to regain composure even more effectively!