Our 31 days to the inner rhythm of the heart, the root foundation of a house of peace, is in progress.  In the vein of those who are setting a New Year’s intention with “one word”, I offer the word of today to you:  attentiveness.  Read on for more……

In our last post, I asked you to consider a partner in accountability if you deem that you are ready to change and focus on a household that does not include yelling.  Another thing I suggested is to keep a journal for five days, focusing on when yelling happens, what leads up to that event, what happens to make things feel settled again, and what the patterns are that you hold.

By this token,  we can only attempt to change that of that which we are aware.  Yet, we also need to provide attentiveness to the other part of this:  when we do something that is in line with how we really and truly want to parent.  Those moments are there as well.

When did you answer a yelling child with love?

When did you hold a child who was upset and saying, “I hate you?”

When did you redirect something so it didn’t become a disaster?

When did you do something that saved your child’s dignity?

When did you sit and listen and help your child by not saying a word, but just listening?

When did you allow a child in the midst of a temper tantrum to get all of their emotions out and you just provided support and love?

When did you smile at, pat, love, hug, kiss and  otherwise encourage your child today?

Attention begets attention, so give attention to the good things you do as well.  The things that you are happy with becomes the building block and foundation for a no-yelling household.

Many blessings,
Carrie