Page 20 - How Changing Your Anger Can Help You Be a Better Parent book

Start by thinking back to the last several episodes when your child may have had an emotional
meltdown or misbehaved in some other way. Try to think of those situations and understand what
your child may have needed at that moment.

Now moving on to situations that you may face in the near future. You can also use this checklist
to quickly assess what your child may need and hopefully have ways to meet that need to change
their behavior.
● Food

● Water
● Rest

● Time to calm down
● Sleep

● Safety and security

● Attention

● Hugs and kisses

● Praise

● Diversion or distraction

● Help doing things

● Help solving a problem

● To be listened to

● Freedom or autonomy or power

● Clear limits and rules

● Consistency

● Stimulation or activity

Meet the need, change the behavior.

You can develop and expand your healthy anger tools to be able to meet the needs of your child
in the heat of an angry moment. Again, it’s about assessing and meeting your needs first and then
your child’s needs to be able to change behavior.

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