Listen to Your Child
If we want our kids to trust their bodies and for others to hear when they establish a boundary about their body, it starts with us. 💯👍🏽👍🏻👍🏾👍🏼 Let’s hear them, listen, and respect their requests. (Note: Preverbal children may communicate by turning or pushing away, shaking head, etc.)
Yes, some days this may result in them. . .
🥦not eating their vegetables
🚽having a potty accident
🧥not wearing a jacket,
but they will learn that we trust and respect their voice (consent!). And will have the expectation that others do, as well.👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿👏🏽
⚠️I know, someone is thinking: “But what if they want to wear flip flops in the snow?”
✅Parents are in charge of health and safety, so if your child is pushing against a health and safety boundary that you’ve set, it’s okay to hold it!
🔑State your boundary AND offer a choice:
➡️”If you want to go in the snow, you need to wear your boots. Should we make snow angels or build a snowman?” Or “Stay inside or go out?”
➡️”I know you want to keep playing, but it’s time for bed. Do you want to wear your Mickey or Elmo jammies?”
➡️”You can do it, or I can help you.”
🧥”I don’t need a jacket”
✔️Bring it with you instead of forcing them to wear it
✔️If they’re cold, they’ll ask for it
🚽”I don’t have to go potty”
✔️Create a routine of going potty before leaving the house
✔️Model going
✔️Bring an extra change of clothes, just in case
😳”I’m not ready to go play yet”
✔️”That’s okay. You can stay with me until you’re ready”
🍽”I don’t want to eat anymore”
✔️”Okay, you don’t have to” – young kids will not starve themselves and not forcing them to eat will establish a healthier relationship with food
✔️If you’re worried about their eating enough, consistently offer a healthy snack before bed
😰”I’m scared”
✔️”It’s okay to feel scared. I’m here, you’re safe”
🙅🏽♂️”I don’t want to give Grandma a kiss”
✔️”That’s okay. Choose how you want to say goodbye”
⁉️😴Notice “I’m not tired” isn’t on my list 😉
✔️For me, this is a “health + safety” boundary
☑️Choices: go to bed now or in 5 min, choose a book, or quiet time if won’t nap
Let me know what you think!
This post was brought to you by @parenting_fairly. More than a toy designer, be mindful is a community of parents who are going through the process of building the best denizens of next generation. As such we encourage and delight in our community participating in our blog and social media efforts. Your voice will be heard across our community and who knows which kid or which parent your wisdom will enlighten! Feel free to email us at howdy@mindful-engineering.com or submit an inquiry on our site if you have a blog post idea you want to share!
