Parenting Tips: Pause and Repair

Makayla Cole
May 8
2 min read

Parenting is a challenging job and it can be overwhelming at times. Something I love to share with the families I visit is a daily practice called “Pause and Repair”.

We can’t be at our best all the time, and that is completely okay. As parents, we can get overtired and stressed; especially as parents of young children, trying to navigate daily needs and challenges can be a lot. Reactions may be short, a little louder than normal, or you are just not as checked in as usual.

If you react abruptly, it is important to stop, collect your thoughts, take a minute or two, and then re-engage with your baby.

A few steps could look like:

Make sure your baby is in a safe space, is comfortable, and not excessively upset.
Go into a space that is quiet for you, like the bathroom, your room, or even step out onto your balcony, deck, or your front door.
Take some deep breaths to reground yourself.
After taking a few minutes, come back to your baby and apologize for your reaction. No matter how small, this is a great practice of acknowledging that you did not have your best moment.
Here’s an example: “Mommy wasn’t at her best and I’m sorry I got a little loud. That may have scared you a bit and that is not how I want you to feel.”

Being a parent is a 24/7 job and remembering to check in on your baby’s feelings, acknowledge them, and be accountable for your reactions can help you build a secure attachment with your baby, where they feel safe to express their feelings as they grow!