993 – Show your child the same grace you would show yourself. What’s your reaction when you knock something over? What’s your reaction when you child knocks something over? Your child spilling a drink in the car vs you spilling a drink in the car?
Is your reaction as forgiving, or more immediate to being cautious, paying attention, saying “I know I shouldn’t have let you have that in the car?”
We all spill, knock stuff over, misjudge the landing spot. Yet, we do not all have someone watching over us, commenting on our mistakes, or watching to see what we do wrong next. If we do, it’s a bad boss, a bad relationship, a negative situation that causes stress. Situations we would prefer not to be in and don’t look forward to.
Show your child the same grace you show yourself. Next time they knock something over, spill something, misjudge the location of the cupholder, instead of an immediate, or gut negative reaction say, “Not a problem. I love you and we’ll get that clean up the next chance we get.”
(As a PSA, it is recommended keeping within arms reach: napkins, a towel, wet wipes, and laying down a sheet or blanket in the backseat).
A Better Father 