No one said the full-time job of being a mother was easy–especially when our child crosses the line. This viral video of a Baltimore mom catching her teen son taking part in the riots is a parenting moment that should go down in history books. You can debate whether slapping and grabbing her son was "the right thing to do," but for me it's more about her involvement in rescuing him out of a bad situation. I could only hope that the son will eventually look back and thank his mother for raising him with an iron fist. When a child goes through a rebellious stage in life, it can be difficult to know what the right parenting move should be. No matter what your parenting style, there are a few consejos that will help you get through the difficult stage your child is going through.
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Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRlmCf1Kj2o
In the clip, you can tell the mom named Toya Graham is utterly outraged and trying her best to control the situation. The ideal way to handle it may have been to avoid violence against her son, but clearly he needed to be checked for his behavior. I couldn't help but feel emotional for this woman. It must be a powerless feeling to watch your own child creating violence and madness in your community. There are parenting tips to help cope with a deviant child before things get this bad.
Focus on the positives: After your child has been suspended or caught behaving badly, focusing on the negatives will only get you more upset and leave you feeling powerless. Once the situation has settled, try to focus on the positive. This way your child doesn't feel like he or she is only getting attention after doing something bad. Karen Stephens, author of Strategies for Parenting Children with Difficult Temperament, explains, "Effective parents develop attitudes, guidance strategies, and communication skills that work with, rather than against, a child's temperament.
Don't blame yourself: As moms, it can be easy to take the blame and feel guilt for what your child is going through. It's hard to watch your child experience negative consequences in life, but remember it's all about how you deal with the situation. Licensed social worker Kim Abraham states, "If you feel guilty or ashamed for things you've done as a parent, take accountability and move forward. By doing this, you're modeling for your child–and others–a culture of accountability."
Seek help if needed: If your child is being violent, harming others or exhibiting other extreme behaviors, it's important to contact a licensed professional or family therapist. Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to offer the guidance needed to aid what's going on at home. Keep showing your love and support and take it one day at a time.
Image via Youtube
