Walk It Off

As a single father it can be difficult to react to my daughters' emotional meltdowns. As a kid, I would usually take a walk in the woods to re-boot when things got ugly. Still seems to work....

Before:
I was in Cherry Hill to pick up the girls and take them to my place for the weekend. We waited for Liz to return from an errand...everything was great, and eveyone was in a good mood. But (you knew there was a but), just before Liz got back, the girls started fighting over some stuffed animals. Specifically, Ella was hoarding some of Lily's toys against her will. Lily freaked out in a classic "I wasn't thinking of those toys until you touched them, and now they are my world!" syndrome. Within seconds the whole house was an emotional tornado. Lily was screaming. Ella wouldn't back down. I was yelling. A swirling, dizzying disaster.

Liz got home and helped calm the scene. When the dust settled I insisted that the girls and I take a walk in a nearby park to regain our composure. Much resistance from the girls; no relentance from me.

During:

During the walk in the woods, I kept telling the girls that they need to find a way to burn off pent-up energy. We can't fight over toys and hate each other. Possessions can be prisons...or as my Unlce Joe says, "What we own, owns us". I relied on what little knowledge I have to parent two young girls and overcome the recent meltdown...deep breathing techniques, reminders that we love each other, focus on the 'now', communicate.



After:

Everyone agreed - we felt better, more revived and enthusiastic about our upcoming weekend together after our walk and talk. Maybe they'll  remember that the next time they put toys ahead of their love for each other. Time will tell....and if it can't, I'll be there to remind them.