Raising Joy-Filled KidsSýnishorn

Perhaps you have been on an airplane and heard the familiar instructions to put on your oxygen mask first and then help those next to you. When it comes to raising joy-filled kids, there are times when we need to put on our oxygen masks first and then take care of our kids second. It is usually more important to attune with them and help them return to joy than it is to correct them. Correction is certainly easier if they are not also emotionally shut down or overwhelmed. 

In Nehemiah 8:10 we read, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” In context this phrase was part of the instructions Nehemiah gave to the people to help them bounce back from the grief they were feeling and help them return to joy. We all function better when take the time to bounce back and find some joy before we move forward. This is especially true in parenting. The process can be taxing and is guaranteed to push us past our capacity at times. Taking time every day to catch our breath, remind ourselves of what is good, and get our own emotions back within the range of what we can handle will make life better for us and for our kids. 

• Take Five 

One of the ways you can practice putting on your oxygen mask and taking care of yourself in the middle of taking care of everyone else is to give yourself set times during the day that are just for quieting and appreciation. A five-minute walk or five minutes to sit and enjoy your coffee or five minutes browsing pictures that make you smile can help you reset your system so that you feel less stressed. Give yourself permission to "take five" several times throughout the day. If you combine this with a good bedtime routine, it can make a world of difference in the joy levels in your home. 

Have your kids ever had a very public, very embarrassing meltdown? It's hard to know how to meet them in that moment. That's why Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey have put together a four step guide to meet your kiddo in the chaos. Get the guide here!