Parenting in the Heat: How to Regain Your Composure After Losing Your Cool with Your Child

Clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy emphasizes the importance of repair in parenting after moments of losing one's temper with their child. By prioritizing connection over consequences, parents can rewrite the ending of a negative parenting moment, promoting resilience and a clear sense of self in their children. Repair involves reconnecting with the child, apologizing, reflecting on what happened, and explaining how things will be handled differently in the future. This process can change the way the memory of the event is stored in the child's brain, reducing feelings of self-blame and promoting a sense of safety and compassion. Repair can happen at any time, even years after a blowup, and can have a profound impact on the parent-child relationship.