Healing Intergenerational Patterns While Putting the Kids to Sleep
Dr. Noah K. Goldstein, DACM L.Ac.
It's the last night of our trip to Charleston to visit my brother and his family and Zephyr (5 years old) is not cooperating with bedtime. I'm tired and ready to be done parenting and finish packing for our early morning flight.
Zephyr is practically bouncing off the walls.
I notice my nervous system getting more and more charged and can tell I will eventually snap and loose my temper.
"Zephyr, I'm feeling myself getting upset and am worried I might loose my temper if you don't cooperate with bedtime."
In the moment I feel proud about my communication, but later I realize this is kinda a sneaky backhanded threat. I'm essentially saying, "If you don't behave, I'll yell at you." Not exactly my best parenting move, but not my worst either.
Read More