It was such a meaningful morning as we continue to nurture relationships . . . this time with another Coffee with Roleen. Thank you, Leah and Brian, for opening your home to us. It was a warm, loving space and we felt safe to share our stories and our struggles as we strive to do our best in our parenting roles. Our next Coffee will be on March 7th at the Lazarus’ home. Here are some reflections from the morning:
My take away would be that children’s priority is to get their needs met. Temper tantrums and “acting out” are usually a sign of unmet needs.
Thank you as always for these very valuable mornings. They mean everything to me.
All my love, Michelle (Luscia EW)
What a lovely and reassuring way to start the day! Here are a few of my reflections from our talk…
As always, the reminder to really listen and acknowledge my children’s feelings (even if they are negatively directed at me!) before saying anything else was important to hear. During our discussion, I realized I almost have to act like a curious detective when my kids say something hurtful or start to lose their minds – ask questions, get the facts, don’t involve my own emotions. Easier said than done! xoLeah (Lucy WW, Charlie and Jake EW)
First, just the obvious reminder that to set aside the time for thinking about your kid with thoughtful people around is so beneficial rather than having it folded in between the activities or trying to think straight in the moment or the jokey, helpless, commiseration that happens in quick conversations. Second, I think your preface that it is all seasons from where you sit made it easy for me to link the questions of other parents in a way that makes Clemmy’s story feel less specific; which turns off my over-analytic self-critical brain, so I can see her/her behavior as something I can observe, something that is always changing as part of development, and part of patterns that all kids and all families move through. I feel much less reactive from that perspective, and more patient and curious. –Sammy (Clemmy EW)