STOP - A Strategy for Breaking the Pattern of Arguing
How do you break the pattern of arguing with your kids? Hi, I'm Anne Alvares, Parent Coach of the Masterful Parenting Program. Today, I want to share of method for breaking the pattern of arguing. Disagreeing is normal in families and will happen, especially if you have teenagers. It becomes unhealthy if arguing is happening daily or weekly and if the arguments are strong in intensity. My youngest loves to argue with me and often questions me (yes, he is now a teenager). Here is the strategy I use when an argument is starting: STOP S - Stop and Listen - Do not respond. I know, this takes practice. So breathe while you are listening and pay attention to listening for the emotion your child is expressing. Anger, frustration, sadness. T -Time - Respond with "I hear you are . . . (feeling frustrated, angry, sad) and I think we can discuss this when we are both calmer. Then we can make better decisions. How about we set aside time to talk about this tonight?" It&#