In this episode, Brooke Vincent, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Marriage & Family Therapist, shares how we can diffuse temper tantrums in record time when we simply validate the feelings our child is experiencing when they are melting down and comfort them on their level.
(I know, it seems hard when their behavior seems so disproportionate to the stimulus—like tantruming over having to put a firetruck away so they can eat lunch.)
But, this method WORKS!
Take a listen to the episode for practical examples on connecting with your kids in ways that help improve their behavior AND foster a sense of safety and trust in the relationship with you. All of this fosters a healthy attachment with your child, which means they will have more successful relationships and be able to soothe themselves when difficult things occur, later in life.
Brooke reminded us that we don’t have to get it all right all the time in parenting…but in fact “if we can attune to our kids (connect on an emotional and physical level with them) even 30% of the time, being sure to repair any ruptures (arguments or personal hurts), a secure attachment with our kids can be sustained”.
Brooke recommends the following parenting books that support this way of fostering healthy attachment in kids.
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Dr Laura Markham
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson
Parenting From the Inside Out by Daniel J. Siegel, Mary Hartzell
The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering our Children by Dr. Shefali Tsabary
To book a counseling session with Brooke, visit brookevincentcounseling.com.
To find a MOPS community (Mothers of Preschoolers) in your neighborhood, visit mops.org/groupsearch/
Purchase a copy of our newest Kids' Journal: The Best ME I Can Be and find connection with your child with 5-minute daily check-ins. You’ll foster a connection now that will pay huge dividends in the future!
