A parenting coach for “what do I do now?”

Sleep

You’d quite like an evening, too.

The story is finished. The water has arrived. Someone now has a very important question about dinosaurs. If bedtime has become the longest part of your day, talk through where it gets stuck.

Make a plan that fits your family and that you feel able to follow when you’re tired. Come back to talk about what happened, including the parts that didn’t go to plan.

No need to phrase it perfectly

“We keep saying ‘last time’ at bedtime, then going back in. Can you help us decide what to do tonight?”

Picky eating

You made dinner. They inspected it.

It’s hard to stay relaxed about food when you’re wondering whether your child has eaten enough. Especially when something they loved on Tuesday is apparently unacceptable on Wednesday.

Talk through what happens at your table, what worries you, and what you’ve already tried. Work out how you’d like to respond to a refused meal, with less pressure on both of you.

No need to phrase it perfectly

“I hear myself saying ‘just one more bite’ every night. What could I do instead?”

Tantrums

They’re upset. You’re getting there.

You know leaving the playground is disappointing. You also know you have to leave. Staying kind and meaning what you say can be difficult when everyone is tired and people are looking.

Think through the limit you want to set and practise the words you’ll use. There’s room to talk about your own reaction, too, and how to reconnect if the moment went badly.

No need to phrase it perfectly

“We both lost it leaving the playground. Can we work out what I could try next time?”