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My recent article published at Guideposts…
Responding with compassion to a frustrated child
At least half a dozen times in my childhood, my twin sister Susan or I, faces flushed with emotion, would blurt out, “OK fine! Then I’m running away!”
The runaway would go to the kitchen, get out a plastic bag and open the fridge. Then, invariably, the other twin, overcome with empathy and loyalty, would join the plan. Together we would select apples and make sandwiches before heading out the front door.
Now, as a mother, I’m on the other side of the lunch bag.
When my 7-year-old Jackson is really upset, he sometimes declares, “I don’t want to be a part of our family anymore. I want a new family. I’m going to run away.”
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
I haven’t had to deal with this yet (though I personally have felt like running away from childcard sometimes! :).
Thanks for the reminder to see through their perspective. The threat to run away is an attempt to get us parents to take things seriously…