By Sarah Chana Radcliffe
Fwd: How can an impatient parent become a more patient one?
How can an impatient parent develop more patience? One way is to spend a few minutes each day imagining the most challenging scenarios. What causes you to raise your voice suddenly? What makes you burst into a lecture? What triggers a series of criticisms and complaints? Think of the things that throw you off and picture yourself keeping your cool. See yourself acting and speaking the way you wish you could. By simply watching that "movie" daily, you'll be there in "real life" in no time.
"He claims he didn't hear me calling from the other room...."
When you want a child or spouse to actually hear what you're saying, don't say it until your listener is standing still and looking at you (this sometimes means that you have to go up the stairs or into another room so that you can be in the presence of your listener. Don't speak to someone who is not right there with you). Stop speaking when the person turns away, continuing when he or she has returned attention to you. Feel free to ask for attention as necessary, but refuse to speak to someone who isn't listening.
