What do you think of to give you perspective in those ragey parenting moments?

[chubbachub]

I mean the moments where you are at the end of your tether constantly telling off, the kids are bickering about who's fart it was , the kitchen is too hot and everyone wants to be near me when I'm trying to cook and the toddler is playing loudly with a toy xylophone and another child is bouncing a basketball repeatedly on the path. The oldest child also decides this is the moment to ask me what I think the inside of the sun looks like.

I feel overwhelmed and twitchy with rage inside but having had a traumatic upbringing I am trying to break the cycle and stay calm. Sometimes I think "today is just another day for me but to them it's their childhood" etc to try and give myself some perspective. Also just stepping into another room and taking some deep breaths help.

Any tips? It's been a looooooong weekend.

I work in Reception and we do a mindfulness breathing technique with the children. There’s one online where you imagine you are going to paint a rainbow with your hands. Basically you imagine dipping your hands in each colour of paint and then raising them up in a rainbow shape whilst breathing in, then down again whilst breathing out. It’s for them but it really helps us to calm down as well. Could you find it on a phone or tablet and do it together? It’s a fun activity to distract them and gives you a moment to chill out.