Listen "4. The Hidden Weight of Disappointment in Parenting (And How to Break the Cycle)"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we’re tackling the topic of disappointment and how it shows up in our parenting. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, "I’m so disappointed in you" or "I’m not mad, I’m disappointed," then this episode is for you! We’re going to explore where disappointment comes from, why it lingers longer than anger, and how it can unintentionally affect our relationships with our kids.Here’s what we’ll cover:What is disappointment? At its core, disappointment happens when things don’t go as we hoped or expected. It’s all about our expectations, and it’s much heavier than other emotions because it’s tied to our hopes for how things should have been.How disappointment impacts our kids: When we say things like "I’m disappointed in you," it can leave a lasting impact on our kids' self-esteem. They start to feel like they've let us down, and that can create a rift between us. It's important to remember they are still learning, and they aren’t perfect—and that’s okay.Adjusting our expectations: We’ll talk about how our expectations for our kids often aren’t in line with where they are developmentally. That pressure can be overwhelming, and when we shift our expectations to match their abilities, we set them (and ourselves) up for more success.5 strategies to handle disappointment better:Focus on the behavior, not the personValidate feelingsExpress emotions without judgmentReframe your expectationsOffer solutions and supportBy the end of this episode, you’ll have some practical tools to shift how you handle disappointment. We’ll focus on how to express our feelings in ways that are more supportive and understanding, both for us and our kids. When we close the gap between our expectations and reality, we create space for growth, understanding, and connection instead of guilt and shame.For free resources, online courses, or to join the mailing list, please visit theparentinglab.orgFollow on Instagram @TheParentingLabPodcastTo read the article quoted in today’s episode, CLICK HERE
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