Smile: It Just Feels Better

This week I am reminded to always smile when I am frustrated or angry, especially when I am with my children or talking to them over the phone. Research shows that a simple smile changes mood and the tone in our voice. The simple modification of turning that frown upside can also be contagious. Your children can feel your stress after a long day at work, missed opportunities still lingering in your head, or frustration with your ex-spouse. 

I remember a trip to a theme park, just me and my two kids. They were younger then, and a little more challenging to entertain their short attention spans. Of course, a theme park has rides, but to get to the rides we had to stand in line. Some families saw lines as an obstacle and cut. An affront of this nature upset me and the kids. My oldest questioned their actions aloud, thankfully within earshot of the offenders, but that did little to reverse their actions. I’m sure we’ve all had this happen, and it made us angry, sometimes verbally, hopefully never physically. I know I was angry, because my tone of voice changed, my body language, too. Even though I never confronted these people, nor did I say any disparaging remarks, my oldest picked up on my frustration and became “antsy,” which made his toddler aged sister start to wander. Neither would listen to me. They felt my frustration with the conflict that arose. Instead of waiting patiently with me, they wanted to wander away from me.

Remember, the best way to communicate with your children is through positive and loving interaction. Understanding the implications of your emotions effects and how you convey them. If you are experiencing a lot of stress, try to compartmentalize your feelings, and express them after the kids go to bed.