Jul 30 2024 10 mins
If every problem in your kid's life feels like a level 10 catastrophe, this episode is for you.
Tune in to learn a game-changing parenting tool called "Pebble, Rock, Boulder."
In essence, you share with your child that some problems are pebbles (a pencil breaking, running out of milk), some are rocks (having a hard time with math, fighting with friends) and some are boulders (natural disasters significant illnesses).
When we are overtired, hungry, or cranky (or 4 years old) pebbles can feel like boulders. The goal (for kids and grown ups!) is to pause, figure out the size of the problem and then give it the reaction it warrants.
Having this strategy in your parenting toolbox can feel like magic – it makes a very abstract concept concrete, which is what a young brain needs. Instead of yelling in frustration “Don’t get so upset!” we can ask “What size is this problem?”)
Often kids are able to right-size their response on their own, with a little guidance, empathy and support from us. And even if they still boulder size a pebble problem, you’re still planting the seeds of reflection and problem solving, and that’s good enough.
To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!
http://www.paceparent.com/play
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