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Zen parents aren't born like that, they mould themselves to be calmer and more present with their children. Here are some tips that help me be a calm and gentle parent even when my child is at her worst.
2/6
I constantly remind myself that she is only a toddler, even if she gives me the attitude of a teenager. She is still growing and grasping social behaviour, and the reason why she is acting in a particular way is probably because of a trigger.
3/6
A deep breathe and a constant chant of 'this too shall pass' helps a LOT. She might be throwing an epic tantrum right now, but she is the same child who hugs and kisses me randomly and says 'you are the best mommy in the whole wide world'.
4/6
Sometimes it is inevitable to lose your cool, so at those times, I go to a different room to calm myself down. Toddlers can get you and push all your buttons, and how you react at that time is the memory they will carry.
5/6
I constantly read about ways to discipline without shouting or hitting. Sending my tot on her 'naughty chair' whenever she misbehaves works for us. I sit with her after she calms down and tell her why she was sent on the naughty chair.
6/6
Meeting anger with anger will not solve the problem. When my child is screaming and shouting, my screaming and shouting will not calm her down. Instead I try to recognise the trigger and deviate her attention from that. This means a lot of silly talk, but it does help.
