wait for the calm

This message is short and sweet.
Do you know that song,
"Wait for the Beep?"

The jist of this 80's jingle is:
You have to wait for the beep
before you can leave a message
on the answering machine.
Makes sense, right?

This song has been going through my head,
except with the words,
"Wait for the Calm"
because it so applies
to positive parenting.

In order to parent,
discipline, 
or teach your children anything,
you have to be calm.

You gotta wait for the calm
before you speak or act.

When we yell,
react in haste or anger,
or have a parenting tantrum
--- nothing good every comes from it.

Now those times of being triggered
as a parent are going to happen
--- no matter what.
Because we're human.
Believe me, my friends
I know this to be true first-hand.

Taking a bit of space to get calm,
instead of plowing through
with a knee-jerk reaction
can be the hardest thing 
to teach yourself.

Wait for the Calm
is a Golden Rule of Positive Parenting.
But it doesn't mean it's easy!
It takes serious practice and commitment.
As well as developing
serious compassion
for yourself
when you mess up
and parent in anger,
upset,
or frustration.

Positive Parenting
is a process,
and a practice
-- including
Waiting for the Calm.

You got this.

All the best,
Megan

p.s. Wait for the Calm. You gotta wait for the Calm.  Let it get stuck in your head to remind you. :) And have lots of compassion for yourself when you forget this golden rule.