who is really throwing the tantrum?
Last week I shared some of the verses I am praying for Raeca -thank you to everyone for sharing verses/virtues you are praying for your own children. As I’ve been finding more verses to pray over Raeca I’ve been thinking about how I don’t want these to just be verses that I am praying for her but I would love for them to be a visual reminder so I’ve been working on some prints I can add to her room. And I figured while I am making them I may as well throw them up in the shop as instant digital downloads as well.
I have ordered some prints and can’t wait to show you how I plan on displaying them in her room!
Here are a few more verses I am praying for her (click on the photo to go to the listing):
So besides praying verses for Raeca, I had another bit of a parenting revelation last week. I realized that when Raeca is “out of control” and throwing a tantrum I can usually be found right along side her equally as out of control. I might not have been the one screaming vocally in Costco a few weeks ago but you can bet that I was screaming inside. I realized that I am as guilty of throwing tantrums as she is.
I know it probably shouldn’t have taken me this long to figure it out but the more out of control I get -the more she does. The calmer and more understanding I am, the calmer Raeca is. I’m probably the last parent to figure this out but it’s been a real big revelation for me, and on the off chance there is someone out there who is in the same boat that I was I wanted to share the wisdom I have gained.
I came across the Orange Rhino site a few weeks ago -in essence it is a mother who vowed to not yell at her children for 365 days, I liked the idea when I read it but didn’t actually feel like joining in on the challenge then but last week after my light bulb moment I was finally ready. For me it is not just 365 days of no yelling but 365 of staying cool, calm and collected.
My human nature is not one of control, I grew up in a family with a bit of a temper and definitely inherited that temper, and I can see it coming out through Raeca now. I don’t want her to continue that way and I know the best way to help her to control herself is to model that behavior myself.
Do you have any tips or techniques to share on how to stay calm? I would love to hear them!
with love,
Chantel
That’s so awesome that you’re praying these verses over you daughter =) I think you hit on something here though with parenting that I’ve learned (on the other end of being a daughter… not a mother… yet) though: That mothers have a great amount of control and influence over the emotional temperature of their homes and children. It’s something I’m finding really relevant to teaching or being around kids in general too.
Yes, you are right Natalie! It works great for teaching too! Though I always find it easier to be calm when teaching, maybe because I know at the end of the day I get to send them home. 🙂
Thank you for sharing Chantel.
Awesome things to know for the future.
Wonderful verses. I’m going to have to check out that Orange Rhino site.
I don’t think I’m qualified to share any tips in this regards at all. All I know is that praying helps me. Big time.
Ronnie xo
I’ll be praying for you! It’s an area I need a lot of help in too!
Those verses look great! I’ve also been learning about how important my own emotional stability is for my children’s emotions. I have been guilty of throwing tantrums and all sorts of unsavory behaviour. Seeing it mirrored in my children is a bit of a wake up call. My only tip is prayer….first thing in the mornings, and as required throughout the day. I’ve also been known to send myself to time out if I’m in danger of losing my temper. I then tell the kids it’s best to leave me alone for a couple of minutes. It works….I have time to control my temper (and pray some more!) and the kids realize mama has a breaking point! Hugs, Fi xoxo
Yes, I’ve found prayer in the morning really helps. I find if Raeca somehow wakes up before I do and I don’t get the moments I need to wake up and pray it throws the entire day off. I’ll have to try giving myself a time out sometime, I’m not sure she would get it that I need some time alone but it’s another thing we can try to work on.
Right there with ya, Chantel! I can definitely relate and love the encouragement and challenge of the Orange Rhino challenge. So far it’s been really impossibly tough for me to stick to it.. and I haven’t fully.. but I could use a prayer in that arena! Let’s do this!
Oh I know, it’s hard but we can so do it!!! 🙂