Week Two
- You are not helpless.
- You really do make a difference.
- Your response to your child can either escalate or deescalate the situation.
Your response really
does change your child’s.
It can move them from
the red zone of a meltdown to the green zone of cooperating with you.
GREEN ZONE
|
RED ZONE
|
Calm and
cooperation
|
Tension and
meltdowns
|
Focused
|
Unfocused
|
Engaged
|
Disengaged
|
In the Red zone our engines are running “hot.” You
can feel the tension and your heart pounding.
Your child refuses to look at you and can’t “hear you.” He might hit you, call you names, scream,
run away, and refuse to make a decision or answer a question. Or, he may simply slump into a rag doll heap
unable to do anything.
In the Green zone everyone is calm. Your heart is not racing in your chest. Your child looks at you and “hears” you. He listens, answers questions, offers
potential solutions and can make decisions.
He can even wait if needed.
- The red zone is “catchy.” It’s easy when your child is in the red zone to go there too. But you don’t have to.
- Take a deep breath. He’s not out to “get you.” You are not helpless. You are an emotion coach. Your response can change what’s happening here.
- You can choose to give orders which escalate the situation and pushes your child into the red zone or to listen which deescalates and moves everyone to the green zone of cooperation.
- Usually we give orders because we are rushing, but in reality, it takes more time to deal with a tantrum than it does to stop and listen.
- Choosing to listen first allows everyone to feel better and saves time in the long run because you are working together.
