Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   To be responsible for your own feelings.

PRACTICE:       Today, think about the last time you were mad or sad.

Did you blame those feelings on someone else? (“Jane made me furious.”) Did you talk yourself out of your feelings based on what someone else might say or think? (“I have to act like nothing’s wrong because my boss will not like it if I am upset.” Or, “I have to act happy because I don’t want my child to see me sad.”)

Today if you feel mad or sad, tell yourself it is OK to feel all of your feelings. Own your feelings.

Feelings are not good or bad, they just are. You feel mad or sad because you (for many different possible reasons) are reacting to some situation.

Instead of blaming others for your feelings, spend some time deciding what is the best way for you to deal with those feelings.

Decide to react differently to the situation? Talk out your feelings with someone? Problem-solve the situation you are reacting to?

Today’s Decide and Practice daily parenting tip was inspired by our featured picture book, PLAIDYPUS.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at Kids Keeping Track of Their Things.