
It’s that awful moment – the shopping bags are heavy, you’re walking into your house arms aching, baby hanging from one hip, the phone rings and the toddler just won’t stop crying. You hear yourself say more loudly than you meant to, “Will you just stop crying PLEASE!”
Even though we know that’s not the kind of parent we want to be, we’ve all been there. We’re human. It happens.
When a friend posted this list on social media recently I saw and realised it’s utter gold. I’m going to learn it till I know it back to front so that maybe, just maybe, in that moment I might have another option than to yell at my young kids when they are having a hard time and really need me to WOMAN-UP!
- It’s OK to be sad.
- This is really hard for you.
- I’m here with you.
- Tell me about it.
- I hear you.
- That was really scary/disappointing/upsetting/sad etc.
- I will help you work it out.
- I’m listening.
- I hear that you need space. I want to be here for you. I’ll stay close so you can find me when you’re ready.
- It doesn’t feel fair.
Give them a try and send me a message and let me know how you go.
(And if you know the source of this list, please enlighten me so I can credit it properly)
Alena // Soul Mamma is a writer, educator, ethical content creator and mum of three little darlings living as consciously as she can muster in Freshwater near Sydney, Australia. You can join her and bumble through this parenting malarkey together with other lovely souls in the Soul Mamma Crew or find her on Instagram.