This tip brought to you by our Dad Guru John Valadez
on Jun 08, 2009
The next time you feel like you are going to, “lose it”, take a step back and acknowledge that you are having a vulnerable moment. It’s usually during those times of heated chaos when the television is too loud and the kids are arguing and you have a deadline at work and the cat clawed up the ottoman is when you have what most expert call a “defining moment.”
Whatever you say or do at that moment is what you chose to act on. Act wisely.
Do yourself some good, instead of exploding, withdrawal yourself from the situation. Just go in the next room and gather your thoughts for a moment; re-enter the temporary chaos with a clear, focused plan. Diffuse the situation. Turn off the television, put the kids in a time-out, put the cat in the bathroom with the litter box and forget work – you are at home now.
Taking that brief moment to collect yourself can decide whether your family appreciates you being home or wishes you were still at work.
