
How to Be a More Patient Parent
The Importance of Patience in Parenting
There are few joys and challenges in life comparable to the joy and challenge of being a parent. There are not many things in life as rewarding as making it through, and not losing your cool when your child yells and has a tantrum or when you did your best to minimize your teenage child’s mood swings. However, it is essential to learn to be a more patient parent so you can create or foster a calm and supportive environment that will help your children be more emotionally and socially healthy.
We will cover a few simple, intentional strategies to create your patience and lessen incoherent stress in parenting!
Why is patience important in parenting?
When we are referring to patience, we are not referring to having to wait; patience is being able to show calmness and composure when dealing with stressful situations. There is no perfect or simple way to define what a patient parent looks like. Here are a few ways a patient parent can help:
Your child - True patience strengthens your relationship with your children.
The children - Can help to support emotional regulation during what may be a stressful situation.
The family - Can help reduce the amount of conflict and stressful situations that happen at home.
Educational development - Your child will observe an effective example of one way to monitor and managing their own emotions.
Tips on How to Be a More Patient Parent

1. Recognize Your Triggers
Recognize times in which it's hard for you to remain patient, for instance instead of waiting for your kids to stop arguing, you are thinking, "Just stop arguing!" You reflect on this, while avoiding your natural instinct to get angry, defensive, etc.. You think on why this is hard for you, and plan to act more peacefully.
2. If you are feeling stressed, practice mindful breathing
When you notice a painful or annoying situation occurring, it's important to stop, then breathe. Breathe in for a count of four, hold breath for four, and breathe out for four breaths. It helps you settle in a very quick moment.
3. Know that kids are still learning.
Don’t expect them to do everything correctly (immediate crisis problem) and get frustrated. Better to adjust your expectations based on their age and development, and remember improvement is better than perfect.
4. Establish a Routine
Having a predictable daily routine can decrease stress for both you and your child.
Children need predictability and structure to feel safe and ultimately to reduce behaviour difficulties. Think about when you might need some buffer time for particular stress points, like leaving the house for school.
5. Communicate
Open and honest communication can help diffuse tension.
Get at your child's eye level and talk. Speak calmly, and be sure to listen to what your child is saying and not jump to conclusions.
6. Look After Yourself
Part of good parent patience and self-care starts with you. Making sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating, and being active goes a long way.
When you need a break from your child, ask your partner, friends, or family to support you.
7. Reframe Challenges as Opportunities
When a challenge arises, ask yourself: "What can I learn from this situation?"
Rather than seeing a tantrum (opportunity to teach emotional regulation) simply as a problem, view it as an opportunity.
Respond with empathy and help your child work through their emotions.
8. Use Positive Discipline
Often punitive measures will escalate problems, while positive discipline will achieve cooperation.
Explain to your child calmly and succinctly what the consequence to their action will be.
Reinforce good behaviors you wish to see again with praise and rewards.
9. Embrace Imperfection
No parent will be the perfect parent, and that. is ok!
Remind yourself (often we all lose our temper at moments) clinching a little frustration for a moment does not have to define your parenting.
If you lose your temper apologize. you are modeling accountability for your child.
10. Practice Gratitude
Remind yourself of the joys of parenting regardless of how challenging things can sometimes be.
Keep a gratitude notebook and note every little win/happy moment you have with your child.
Spend some time thinking about HOW fast your child is growing and learning each day.
Overcoming Common Parenting Challenges

1. Work Home Balance:
For You: Establish boundaries to separate your work and home life so that you can be engaged with your child.
2. Cycle of Misbehavior:
For You: Remain consistent with your discipline, you are teaching them not punishing them.
3. Feeling Overwhelmed:
For You: Take tasks and break them down into small steps and ask for help.
Becoming a More Patient Parent: A Journey
Becoming a more patient parent is a journey that takes time, effort, and a commitment to several different strategies; this is all a process that will introduce space for you and your child to develop.
Be gentle with yourself. Patience is not about whether you will feel exasperated; it is about what you choose to do in responding to those frustrations with compassion and care during difficult and frustrating moments.
I encourage you to practice your first approach today, and notice how much your journey as a parent improves!