Why must we respect our kids?

Every time I come across a picture of Kate Middleton kneeling down to talk to her child, I am reminded that parenting is a struggle no matter who you are or where you go.

But how we choose to parent is a choice uniquely ours.

Which is why, I appreciate the effectiveness of Kate’s behaviour as she often controls a volatile and very public moment by only facing the upset little person. Not so surprisingly, developmental psychology recommends the same.

So here are a few pointers that have swooped in to save the day for me more than once.

1. Face your child and get down to their level — this helps the child realize that he has your full attention.
2. Take a deep breath — this gives you a moment to clear your head so you can better understand the issue at hand.
3. Name It to Tame It — this validates their emotions by naming what they are feeling. For instance, saying something like ‘I understand you are sleepy and too tired to walk’ is one way to acknowledge them.
4. Empathize — this redirects your attention to seeing things from their perspective.
5. Ask Questions — this can lead to a solution that elevates your toddler’s tantrum. For instance by saying ‘Do you want me to pick you up?’
   And while I often used to disregard this 5-Step Process by thinking that it’s not for my kid, I have always been proven wrong because more often than not, the little people holding on to us just want to be heard.