Emotions Play a Role

It’s 7.30 am. Two of your children are eating breakfast and dressed for a school day. The third one is still in bed. You’ve called three times; they haven’t stirred. 

You feel the situation is spiralling downwards. Everyone must be out the door and in the car by 8.10 am, or you’ll face horrendous traffic. The kids will arrive late for school; you’ll miss the 9.00 am morning meeting at work.

Child number one finishes breakfast and reminds you they have school band rehearsal this morning. It starts at 8.00.

Child number two has spilled cereal on their shirt front.

Child three hasn’t surfaced yet. 

If you haven’t faced the above or something like it, chances are you know someone who has. 

Emotions spike. The school band child is anxious. Cereal child worries about the spilled milk. Sleepyhead is sleepy, sick, or obstinate. Pick one or substitute another.

Emotions leave the Village of Calm en route to the City of Out of Control.

Eventually, everyone is rounded up. The front door closes, and you’re only 5 minutes behind. Well done! 

Consider the emotions that might play into the remainder of the day:

frustration, anxiousness, worry, anger, sadness

And they’re the ones you’re dealing with. The kids may have taken everything as a normal part of the morning. Chances are pretty good they didn’t. 

For better or worse, their emotions will play a role in their day of learning.