Perhaps the hardest thing to do in a stressful situation is calm down. We are often reminded that keeping your head is the only way out but, how many of us can actually do it? I have met the occasional person that goes to great lengths to speak softly... all the time. They're just weird. I have even, slightly less often, met somebody that actually does have the natural gift to remain calm regardless of what is going on.
LITTLE MINDS KNOW HOW TO OUTWIT THEIR PARENTS
If you know them, these are the people to channel when dealing with a 5-year old. These little creatures look for buttons and spend their days trying to figure out the most effective ways to push them. School vacation boredom spawns the greatest tests of will. Even the calmest people will lose it in the face of a child who really knows them well enough.
THE LOUDER THEY SCREAM THE QUIETER YOU TALK
You know it has gotten really bad when it becomes a struggle to speak kindly to your own child and you look forward to time away from them. It has really gone too far when NOTHING they do is cute anymore, it's just irritating. So here is the trick to regain both your sanity and ability to view your child for the wonderful gem that they are: Stop, Drop, and Roll!
Let me explain. First and foremost: Stop what ever you are doing. If you need to, turn off the stove, the tap or the iron. Second, drop the volume of your voice. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes for a few seconds. Finally, get rolling. Grab the little people and leave the house. Go for a long drive. End up somewhere completely new and spend the entire day there.
It doesn't matter if the house is not clean and dinner is not made and nothing is how it should be. It doesn't matter if your spouse will come back and complain about something being other than it should. All that matters is that by the time you get back home your child will be the one you brought home from the hospital and you will be sane again.
