Who hasn't been there? All is well, you're in a quiet restaurant and some kid loses their mind screaming, crying, and yelling. As you turn to look for the mortified parent accompanying that basket case of a child, you realize the child losing their marbles just so happens to be YOURS!
Maybe you turn red? Maybe you do that quick look down to not make eye contact with a single soul or maybe you feel the need to very loudly reprimand, after all everyone is watching! Everyone isn't really watching. Whatever coping strategy you come up with, chances are you've already felt that sweet jolt of embarrassment! I don't care how cool as a cucumber you might be as a parent, at one point or another, our skills are tested and we're put on the spot!
When the moment arises, I want you to know one thing: every parent gets it! Really, even those parents who stare! They understand. They're actually staring and are probably atheists praying inside thanking Jesus, Jah, Allah, AND Johovah that this time it wasn't their kid melting down! Even those people who don't have kids and are secretly judging you as they stare. Yeah, their stares don't matter!
Regardless of the number of stares, I say take a deep breath, sit in your embarrassment and kill that moment with kindness! Might seem odd, I know. Left and right there's opinions about what should be done to punish, discipline and execute tough love! But after all the tough love when you lay your head to rest, how you make your child feel when they "misbehave" matters! The level of patience and confidence you exude really does see you through the embarrassment and doubt to hopefully find calm! It's that same patience and confidence that brings peace of mind when you choose kindness in dealing with your child who for just a second might very well resemble a tiny insane person!
It won't always be easy to find confidence and patience, but the next time one of your own loses their mind, just sit in the embarrassment, take a deep breath and muster the strength to handle that little being with the utmost care and concern! Because in the end, love is the greatest disciplinary tool of ALL!
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