My 4-year old and I have been going through a bit of a rough patch lately. There are lots of arguments, discussions, which I tend to solve with things like:

“If you don’t do this, then….”

“If you don’t do this, I will take away….”

“If you don’t do this, you won’t get….”

Puh. It’s not right. I know.

But this is not a parenting psychology blog.

When I was riding home on my bike, it made me think - WHEN do these moments happen?

When I am stressed (I am making the “I” bold and underlining it for a purpose). When I am racing against time in our morning or evening routine, I am the one creating this type of emotional environment, that is perfectly set up for both of us to have a tantrum.

Me - because the plan is not going the way it should and we are running late (yet again)

Little one - because small children are not designed to run on a military schedule (slapping my palm to my forehead).

We definitely both are in better moods when it’s playtime, when we don’t have anywhere to be (or Mama has some time before dinner needs to be cooked).

Last night, I told my husband what a tough day I was having! And how upset I felt all day. That is definitely not how I want to end my day.

This morning as we were getting ready to go to school (in a rush as always), my little one already said “I don’t like this day” - and the day hasn’t even properly started!

That’s when I realised - I think it is ME that is having the tantrums - and my little one is merely copying my own behaviour. Ok, to be fair, he fuels it and very much contributes to my frustration - but is it really his fault? (Again, this is not a parenting psychology piece).

What I realised is:

I NEED TO MANAGE MY OWN EMOTIONS!

So out come my Essential Oils and it is time to reintroduce my morning routine.

Read here why I choose Young Living as a brand!

Morning Selfcare + Better Emotions
= A harmonious day ahead.

It’s a WIN-WIN-WIN all around!

And the self care part is just a few minutes long….but it makes a world of difference…

Fast forward and checking back in after a week:

OH MY - what a difference we feel!

We start our days off much happier and end the evenings cuddling in bed. No threats, no bribery, no meltdowns.

YUP - it was mainly on me! We project so much on our children. And the reason I find I am triggered so fast by little one’s behaviour, is because he is mirroring me - and that does not feel good (in those particular moments anyway).

FEEL GOOD PROTOCOL

Valor - Place 1 drop on the inside of left wrist, and hold the inside of your right wrist to your left wrist for a few moments to balance your entire body system.

Harmony - Apply 2 drops, just above your belly button to calm your mind and promote positive feelings.

Joy - Apply 1 drop just above your heart to help bring happiness to your mind and body

White Angelica - Place 2 drops in the palm of your hand. Rub hands together. Then lightly brush both of your hands over your head, face, shoulders, chest, and down your body (not necessarily even touching), right over your clothes, as though applying a shield.

Final Step - Cup your hands over your nose and mouth & breathe deeply for minimum 1 minute (or 10 deep breaths)

Release - I've got a bonus oil right here. This is the one I use when I feel FRUSTRATED during the day. I take it, go to the bathroom, close the door, then just take a minute for myself - inhaling this oil (again for 1 minute or 10 deep breaths). It literally RELEASES my FRUSTRATIONS.

Ok - for the moments that he really does have a TANTRUM (not inflicted by me!!) here is what I do - and it works like a charm every time.