Sarah R. Moore is best-selling author of Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science & Better Behavior and the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting. She's a public speaker, armchair neuroscientist, and most importantly, a Mama. She's a lifelong learner with training in child development, trauma recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, and improv comedy. She's a certified Master Trainer in conscious parenting and Board Member for the American Society for the Positive Care of Children. Her work has been featured internationally in print, online, on the radio, and on TV. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, ...
We’ve all been there – it’s time for our child to do whatever it is needs doing, but they dig in their heels and refuse. Sure, we could force them into whatever it is, but that would be neither gentle nor respectful. Plus, that’s stressful for us, too! Enter playful parenting to the rescue.
Here are three common power struggles parents face and how we can use playful parenting to ease the tension – AND get the job done.
Brushing teeth
Many of us are pretty darn overwhelmed right now. We want ALL the information. And at the same time, we wish it would all just disappear. In the thick of it – for the sake of our mental wellbeing – we still need to find some semblance of self-care if we’re going to recognize ourselves on the other side of this surreal situation.
While self-care might feel like an impossible task right now, here are five ways to do it. Right this moment, you can find some peace.
Stretch.
If you’ve been working outside the home for any length of time before having or adopting a child, the decision whether to be a stay-at-home parent can weigh heavily on your shoulders. Not only do you have to examine your own feelings about it, but you may also be receiving advice (solicited or unsolicited) from other family members and friends.
As adults, we’re used to being productive; doing things when we need to do them. Getting out the door with a child who doesn’t want to go when it’s time to leave the house, however, can be a real challenge. A child’s reluctance can really catch us off guard and can trigger all sorts of big feelings for us.
Fortunately, there are several things parents can do to help ensure a timely departure—and without tears for anyone involved.
Make it playful.
Parents are really good at being productive. Some might say it’s our superpower.
Someone hungry? We seemingly snap our fingers and have a snack ready.
Need to be somewhere on time? Shoes magically appear at the door.
Walk into a room and see a bunch of things that aren’t supposed to be out? We organize like wildfire.
Our efficiency serves a great purpose; our brains have developed over the years to help us get stuff done. We meet deadlines this way; we feel order and purpose.
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