The bus turns the corner and a woman’s purse spills onto the floor. Angry, she takes it out on her kids. When tempers are short, it’s hard to keep a civil tongue.
Sometimes, mama’s the one who needs a time out.
In our house, time outs are a positive force for change, an opportunity to step away from conflict or an escalating situation, regroup, and rejoin life with our attitudes adjusted and our sunny sides up. And my son understands when his mama says, “I need to take a time out, buddy. I need five minutes to get myself together.”
I take those five minutes to give myself a pep talk. I try to take deep breaths, stop the cycle of annoyance, and come back to the issue at hand with a better personal attitude. It’s great role modelling for the kid, too. He sees an adult dealing with her own, negative reactions in a considerate, positive manner, and learns that just because life’s been poking you in the side for two hours non-stop, you still can’t be a pill and let your big emotions take over the whole room. Even if you’re a grown up.
Mamas, keep an ear tuned to your inner voice. When it starts to whine and pout, it’s time to regroup.