Do You Do This When You Feel ANNOYED by Your KIDS?

Parenting is rewarding and challenging! As humans, all our behaviors are motivated by attempts to meet needs. We all have basic needs for survival and psychological needs to thrive. Much of the motivation behind our behavior is unconscious to us.

As a parent, if you find yourself ANNOYED by your children’s behaviors it is often an indication that they need CONNECTION and attention.

What’s challenging as a parent is when your needs conflict with the needs of your children. For example, you’ve had a stressful day at work, you want to come home and cook dinner in peace, and your children are fighting or doing something you told them not to do! Really, their behavior is a bid for attention and connection.

So next time you feel yourself being annoyed by your children, take that as a sign that your needs and their needs are in conflict, and they are needing connection with you. 

Try meeting their need for connection by spending some quality, undistracted time with them. Even five minutes can meet the need and result in a change of behavior. You might also try inviting them to assist you with whatever task you need to get done and maybe both your needs can be met at once!

Coriander Living Collective is here to support you with child guidance and parent coaching. Reach out!