Understanding Your Triggers and Navigating them with Your Family

Greetings, Wonderful Families!

As we step into the heart of autumn, we're greeted with cooler temperatures, earlier sunsets, and the gentle embrace of the season's transition. With these shifts in the weather, we find ourselves drawn indoors, where cozy evenings and cherished family time await. It's a season of change, and we're here to explore how these shifts can impact parents and children alike.

Understanding Our Triggers

Spending more time together can be both a blessing and, at times, a source of stress. We all have emotional triggers, and it's important to recognize that having them doesn't make us weak or unsuccessful parents. Children, in their own unique way, have a knack for uncovering these triggers within us.

Children may sometimes appear to be experts in pushing our buttons, but it's essential to understand that it's not their intention. They're simply interacting with their environment and the people in it. Just like us, they have their "big" emotions, and when we, as parents, become tired or stressed, our capacity to handle their normal behavior can diminish. This often leads to knee-jerk responses instead of the loving reactions we aspire to provide.

Having big emotions is perfectly okay! Learning how to handle them and recognizing that we may not always respond in a loving way is part of our emotional growth as parents. When you find a moment for yourself, take the opportunity to reflect and identify your triggers. For example, the top three triggers are linked to:

• Lack of restful sleep or exhaustion

• Elevated stress levels

• Juggling multiple tasks at once

Keep in mind that everyone is different, and even your children and partners can have emotional triggers of their own. As we find ourselves spending more time indoors, it's natural for our emotions and potential over-stimulation to come to the surface.

Navigating Triggers Together

Here are some practical ways to support each other in managing these triggers:

"Me Time": Set aside time for everyone to have moments away from each other. Whether it's reading, working on a personal project, taking a leisurely walk, or enjoying a podcast, make sure everyone understands this time is for personal rejuvenation without the pressure of including others in the family.

Partner Communication: Talk to your partner about the triggers you recognize within yourself and how they can support you. For instance, if you know that after a long day at work, you need some time alone to decompress before rejoining the family, they can assist with tasks like helping the kids with homework or preparing dinner, giving you the space to reset.

Family Discussion: Engage in open conversations with your entire family, including your children, about how to manage big emotions and triggers. Collaborate to understand that sometimes stepping away for a minute is better than reacting immediately, potentially in a way you'll regret later.

Remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Take the time to discover what works best for you and your family. Sometimes, it's the small changes that can make a significant difference. For example, moving a basket of unfolded laundry out of your bedroom in the evening can alleviate stress and promote better rest.

As we embrace the seasonal transition and look forward to the upcoming holidays, let's journey through this period of change together. By understanding our triggers, embracing our emotions, and working as a family to support one another, we can create a warm and nurturing environment that thrives in every season.

Stay cozy, stay connected, and enjoy the beauty of autumn with your loved ones!

Warm wishes,

Mindy