calmconnection_

A great way to stay connected to our teens 🥰

If we, as adults, can imagine how we would feel in a similar situation when our children are experiencing big emotions, we are more likely to respond in a calmer, more gentle manner. The message our children recieve is 'they get me.' 💕

A beautiful winter afternoon connecting with nature 🥰

If we've ever been told we were 'silly' for feeling a certain way, or that we 'shouldn't feel' something, we learn to second guess our emotions and gut instincts. Our feelings are our feelings...and that's it!

Kids need to understand there is a difference between angry emotion and angry behaviour...Angry emotions are totally ok, we all get angry at different times. Often we get angry when we care deeply about something, or when other uncomfortable emotions like fear, worry, jealousy, guilt or frustration are present. Sometimes angry behaviour is not ok. Important to model and teach strategies when we're angry including taking a breath, walking away to cool down and revisiting an issue when everyone is calm. 💕

Do you find yourself saying the same thing over and over? Is leaving the house tricky because the kids can't/won't put their shoes on? Sometimes we fall into patterns of behaviour and find ourselves repeating the same thing over and over. Even if everyone is frazzled by the time you get out the door, our kids come to rely on these interactions because they are predictable. It's hard to change habits but sometimes we need a different script if we want behaviour to change, and would like a calmer household.

I’m Rachael and I'm a Tuning In To Kids facilitator, a social worker and a teacher with 25 years of experience in both mainstream school and special education settings. I am a mum to two beautiful boys, wife to a terrific husband and passionate about the social and emotional development of children.

I love collaborating with parents with the aim of helping to create more harmonious home lives for parents and kids.