Moms: Be a kind, detached police officer

Imagine that you’ve just been speeding, and you see blue lights flashing in the distance.

You pull over, and an officer walks to your window.

“You were speeding, ma’am. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to write you a ticket.”

Now, you could start crying or even lamenting how life is so unfair. Your behavior isn’t going to offend the police officer. She is certainly not going to take your reaction personally and start crying herself!

Heavens no, she is just doing her job. And she knows that your mistake is not her fault.

This image is powerful for moms, because we do a lot of policing.

Our days are constantly spent helping children learn kindness and self-control. And we regularly write “tickets” that lead to consequences when we need to do so.

What I’ve found, however, is that sometimes I become personally affected by my children’s behavior.

I start to blame myself for the problem. If they get upset I start to get upset, and the moment can go downhill fast.

Enter the vision of a kind, detached police officer–compassionately issuing a consequence, helping a child get through it, then moving on with your day.

Keeping this image in mind can help make your household (& you!) more balanced in those moments that require policing.

Remember as well that sometimes a police officer lets an offender off with a warning, also a good tool to keep in our mothering toolkit and use from time to time!

Ready for more calm, less guilt, and quiet joy as a mother? Check out my Introverted Moms’ community, and add your name to the waiting list!