06/25/2025
If you want to be more patient with your child, start by being more patient with yourself.
Most of us were never taught how to do that. We try to look patient on the outside, but inside we’re carrying stress, frustration, and resentment. And our kids feel it—because even if we say the right words, the energy we bring tells the real story.
Patience is hard when you're trying to get out the door and your child is moving slow. That’s when you practice slowing down.
It’s hard when you’re making dinner and your child is pulling at your leg needing attention. That’s when you practice presence.
It’s hard at bedtime when they keep calling for you. That’s when you practice calm.
It’s hard when they’re melting down, and you’re running on empty. That’s when you practice kindness.
This is why patience isn’t just about waiting. It’s about how you wait. The tone in your voice. The way you move. The energy you bring.
And like anything else worth learning, it takes practice. Daily. Especially when you're tired or overwhelmed. Those are the moments when modeling patience really counts.
So give yourself grace. Create space to breathe. And if you know you tend to lose your patience at certain points in the day, have a plan. When you’re prepared, it’s easier to stay grounded.
The more you practice, the easier it gets. And the more you model it, the more your child will learn it, too.
