Coping Strategy of the Week



Image credit iStockphoto

We all have days where we think we might just burst a bubble or when we think that those dark clouds of doom and gloom will forever haunt us.  Many times we don't want to hear "every cloud has a silver lining."  However, "every cloud does have a silver lining" when you step back far enough to be able to see it.

It can be hard to see the worthwhile job we as parents we are doing . . . especially when in the midst of that heated homework battle, bath time battle, cleaning the room battle, etc.

I just got through with a couple of those battles myself and felt like I was going to either implode or explode.  However, I stepped away from the situation giving myself a much needed “timeout” and retreated to my happy place.  I took a deep breath. I uttered a prayer with a few tears.  Then I dried my eyes with a couple swipes of the finger. 

Then I attacked the situation with much more self control and . . . the battle continues on the outside but on the inside . . . well, the timeout is still helping and I am much more at peace with being a mother:

Even when the seven year old keeps peeping out to see if I am aware that she is awake--
Even though she whines that she cannot sleep--
Even when the four year old whines for a drink--
Even though I am grasping for time to do my homework--
I am okay and the raging battle inside is no more.

Now, does anyone know how to get them to surrender to my demands and actually stay in bed and go to sleep?