Everyone has their own triggers. Especially as a parent, you can find that some seemingly small things can make you lose your cool in a matter of seconds. Most of the things that trigger you now are things that hurt you when you were little – for example, not feeling heard. To make things better for yourself and your children, it’s important to find your triggers, find out how to deal with them, and prevent yourself from getting mad – at least in the majority of cases. Let’s see what can be a trigger and how to deal with it!

A Whining Child

Whining can trigger even the most zen people in the world. Kids also tend to whine when you already have many things to do and you’re trying to balance it all. Your immediate response may be yelling but it doesn’t have to be this way. Take a step back in your mind, acknowledge the fact that this is triggering you, and do your best not to yell at your child. Try to talk with them calmly and you’ll probably find a solution much more easily.

Showing Disrespect

This is another very common trigger for parents, especially when the child is at an age where they test boundaries and want to do things their own way (and not do what they should). If your child, for example, is acting disrespectfully when you ask them to brush their teeth, try not to lose your temper. Take a deep breath and tell them in a calm manner that you understand that they don’t want to do it but it’s important to get it done and explain why. When you stay calm, there’s a much better chance that the child will actually listen to you.

“I Hate You”

We know it hurts when your own little one you raise with so much love says that to you. But they don’t really mean it. What they actually want to say is that they’re really mad and don’t know how to deal with it, except for throwing the meanest thing they know at you. Explain to the child that no matter what they say you still love them, but they can’t have what they want right now.

Siblings Getting Mad at Each Other

It’s a huge trigger for parents with multiple children! When your children are being mean and/or aggressive with each other, it can throw you off balance immediately. It’s important not to get mad at them right away but try to protect and understand them. When things cool off, you’ll be able to talk about the situation and help them understand each other better.

As children grow, their dynamic with their parents changes. This means that moms and dads must make adjustments to their behavior to avoid common parenting mistakes and keep up with their kids.

There is no doubt that tweens and teens test the limits of their mothers and fathers. They are moodier and more independent, which is why parents must set new rules to deal with their kids’ ever-changing needs.

While children in their pre-teen and teen ages have a hard time admitting that they need their parents, the absolute truth is that they still require their guidance. But things aren’t as simple as they sound because moms and dads often make parenting mistakes that further complicate things.

Here are five parenting errors that should be avoided at all costs:

Reading Too Many Parenting Books

While it feels like the right call to consult as many sources as possible, each parenting book promotes its own techniques and methods. Reading too many of them can cause confusion, which can do more harm than good. Mothers and fathers should trust their instincts. While there is nothing wrong with getting another perspective or some professional tips, at the end of the day they are the only people who truly know their kids.

Always Expecting the Worst

Parents often expect the worst from their teenagers because teens have a bad reputation by default. They are seen as loud, unresponsive to authority, self-destructive, disrespectful, etc. Setting such standards is a guaranteed path toward several unhappy and unsatisfying years. Furthermore, some studies show that negative expectations lead to negative behavior. Instead, parents should have faith in their kids and in themselves and believe that things will be fine.

Ignoring Important Things

As kids grow, they develop their own passions and aspirations. They forge their own relationships with the people around them. Dismissing their hobbies or problems is one of the greatest parenting mistakes that anyone could make. Kids should know that no matter what happens, their moms and dads will support them.

Being Overprotective

Being overprotective is more harmful than most parents realize. While it keeps children safe from pain, failure, and disappointment, it also takes away the opportunity for kids to learn the realities of life and test their own resilience and ability to cope with hardships.

Believe They Don’t Commit Parenting Mistakes

Even the best moms and dads make parenting mistakes. It’s perfectly normal to commit errors while raising tweens and teens. In fact, being a parent isn’t an easy job and nobody is truly ever prepared for it. Accepting that mistakes will be made is the first step toward being a good mother or father.

Avoiding these five parenting mistakes is of key importance for parents who wish to have a good dynamic with their growing children.