Returning to school and naughty step and parenting book

Parenting is hard. Certainly, lots of parents have had to deal with an emotional roller coaster during COVID times. First, adapting day to day routines to suit and care for the children's needs at home over the past 4, 5,6 months? Then, preparing the children for the return to school with new rules, different attitudes towards classmates and social interactions in general. Now, we might be facing new social restrictions and the frustration of loosing the new found freedom.

Children who had difficulties before, will be struggling to adapt to such a fast changing adult world around them. Children who have experienced complex situations will be showing changes in behavior that are misunderstood as "naughty" and "difficult".

Whether your are dealing with a battle of wills, a tantrum or an overwhelming conversation, having a back up plan and feeling equipped to face such challenging times is a long and lonely learning process.

Working as a Play Therapist, I have observed that giving children a chance to blow off steam helps them calm down. A small, inviting place with cushions and blankets is ideal for a "safe place" to go to when things get difficult. Using a "safe place" in stead of a "naughty step" will send the message that they can learn to self-regulate and to calm down without feelings of resentment and humiliation.

I recommend the book "Raising the Challenging child" by Karen Doyle and Debbie Reed to parents who need some direction and are looking for more tools to use on their day to day family dynamics.

Keep safe,

Paloma