Fear isn’t always visible on our children’s faces, even when their bodies are in turmoil. When my son was around four, we left the farm to visit the city for the day. We sat by a market square with an ice cream each, when a red-faced, drunken man walked up to us yelling and gesticulating. […]
fear
Am I a good enough parent?
Many of us parents know the gnawing feeling of not being good enough. Am I right to tell my six-year old child to clean his room? Will my habitual impatience cause her lasting pain? Do I erode her trust by making too many promises I don’t keep? Parenthood teeters between right and wrong. It’s a […]
Flood the troubled child with love
Any child gets troublesome when there’s a tear in their most cherished relationships. She may be passive aggresive, anxious, manipulative, or fight with her sibling. There may be nothing you can say to resolve her pain. But there may be something powerful you can do. Flood your child with love. When all else fails, take […]
When your child pushes you away bring her close
A child that screams at you may be scared and yelling out for help. Shout back, and your child will feel the sting of rejection. Her trust for you will take a hit. Your relationship will be marred. Feel her fear instead, let it wash through your body. See her eyes and notice the tension […]