Today’s Practice:

Think of a time when you reacted emotionally to a situation with one of your children before you had all of the information. When you found out more information about what happened, you saw things differently.

How did you feel and what did you do?

Now imagine, that, initially, instead of reacting emotionally, you responded rationally. This means, you asked questions for understanding, summarized back your understanding of your child’s story, and most importantly, you reflected back your sense of how your child was feeling. Feelings drive behaviors and by responding by seeking understanding, you are able to decode their behaviors, and your child will know how much you care about their well-being and safety.

Stephen Covey

Stephen Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.